The Greensboro Arm Wrestling League (GRAWL) raised a record breaking combined total of $7,661 for Youth Focus between proceeds from the October 2021 online trivia and GRAWL Brawl XIV: GRAWLoween on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Oden Brewing.
This was the first in-person event since February of 2020. It featured new wrestlers and a new team format, but retained the same fierce feminist philanthropy energy that has been the force behind all of GRAWL’s fundraising efforts.
Veteran wrestler Ruth Bader-Ginsborg, from Team Science, was the hands-down crowd favorite, raising more than $1500 online and at the event. First time wrestler, Toy Soldier, also from Team Science, took home the arm wrestling prize with a commanding performance. Also wrestling for Team Science were Amazon Prime and K9, representing Youth Focus, led by Team Manager Kill Nye, Mad Science Guy. The best costume prize was shared by the fantastically dressed Team Magic (wrestlers Smother Earth, Father Figure, Fairy Bod Mother, Kraken Skulls, and Team Manager Lady Reproductive Justice).
All proceeds for the event will support Youth Focus’s Act Together emergency housing shelter for male, female, and gender-nonconforming youth ages 11 to 17 who have run away, are experiencing a family crisis, are the victims of abuse or neglect, or are experiencing homelessness for other reasons. This is the second time GRAWL has partnered with Youth Focus. GRAWL Brawl IV raised money for the My Sister Susan’s House maternity housing program.
GRAWL is thankful for the partners and volunteers who helped make the return to the stage a smashing success, including commentators Bob Beshere and Al Shraeder, DJ Clash Queensbridge, Vanderveen Photographers, and Oden Brewing.
See the full photo gallery from the event on our Facebook page.