Must Fight Boxing Club

For 14 years Must Fight Boxing Inc. has transformed the lives of young people in Upper Darby by turning a simple concept—boxing as discipline—into a powerful engine for community change. Our Upper Darby PAL program offers more than sport: it gives at-risk youth a safe place to be after school, consistent mentorship, and the structure they need to build healthy habits and hope for the future. We exist because kids who are seen, supported, and challenged positively are far less likely to become victims or perpetrators of violence, fall behind in school, or spiral into substance use and poor health.

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening our doors open to youth who might otherwise be unsupervised during the most vulnerable hours of the day. We provide professional coaching, one-on-one attention, and constructive relationships with local police officers—turning strangers in uniform into role models and trusted allies. By removing barriers—free programming, provided gear, and transportation from school—we ensure that cost or logistics never block a child from joining. The result is measurable: more confidence, improved fitness, strengthened school attendance, and decreased risky behavior.

Our program currently serves more than 90 young people annually. Some go on to compete at regional and national levels; many more carry forward the discipline and self-respect learned in the gym into their academic and personal lives. We are piloting a truancy-incentive initiative that rewards regular school attendance with gym access. Early results are promising, and pending expansion to additional schools we expect to reach an extra 30 youth—young people who otherwise lack access to positive after-school opportunities.

Upper Darby is a vibrant, culturally rich community, but it also faces stark challenges. High rates of poverty, youth obesity, mental health struggles, and juvenile crime make targeted, consistent intervention essential. Local data shows troubling rates of substance use, depression, and involvement with the justice system among adolescents. Programs like Upper Darby PAL interrupt these trajectories by offering routine, purpose, and adult mentorship during critical developmental years. Boxing, when taught responsibly, builds discipline, resilience, and a framework for goal-setting—skills that protect youth from many of the pitfalls reflected in local statistics.

To keep this lifesaving work free and accessible, Must Fight operates on a modest annual budget of $100,252. As our reach grows, so do our costs for qualified coaches, protective equipment, transportation, and program supplies. Today we ask for a $10,000 investment to sustain and expand Upper Darby PAL: to fund staff salaries that maintain consistent, high-quality coaching; to replace and provide gear so every participant can train safely; to cover transportation so kids can arrive reliably from school; and to formalize our truancy program and data tracking so we can demonstrate impact and refine our approach.

Your gift will directly support at-risk youth in Upper Darby—helping keep them safe, healthy, and engaged. Donations are tax-deductible and go straight to services that remove barriers and open doors. Join us in giving young people the structure, mentorship, and opportunities they deserve. Together we can build stronger neighborhoods, healthier children, and brighter futures.

To give or learn more, contact Daniel Mullarkey at upperdarbypal@yahoo.com or 267-205-2632. Mail donations to P.O. Box 2, Ridley Park, PA 19078. Thank you for investing in the next generation.