The monthly social meeting was held Tuesday, January 28th at the Reserve in Hillsboro. Mike Ware and Bill French were speakers.
(L to R:Club Member Bill French, club members enjoying the buffet at The Reserve).
Photos by: Jack Thornton
Mike Ware, owner/CEO of MyBinding*, spoke of his relationship with the Optimists and the history of his corporation. Ware and son started MyBinding in 1998. They began by selling to print shops and school systems and launched a website in 2003. Today, less than a fifth of their sales are made in Oregon. For more information, refer to the company website or their OregonLive listing.
Bill French spoke about a local family that provides a training program for young boxers. They practice outside in a canvass tent, attracting as many as 25 kids in a class. Bill has been instrumental in providing leadership and financial support. He is currently helping them locate a more permanent training facility. Club members with Hillsboro connections are encouraged to help.
One member of the family, Efrain Estrada, is a light welterweight contender. Another, ninth grade Hillsboro Online Academy student Diana Estrada Diaz, just earned the gold medal in her division at the 2014 USA Boxing Junior and Youth Open Championships held in Reno, Nevada, January 6-11. Diana was also awarded the Outstanding Female Boxer of the Tournament honor and will be training and competing as part of the USA Boxing Traveling Team both nationally and internationally. For more information, refer to this article covering the youth.
