The Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project is proud to announce the Second Annual Pull for the Kids, arm wrestling Challenge.  Bringing together professionals and first timer Arm Wrestlers in a unique competition of strength and will and an opportunity to meet the world’s greatest arm wrestler of all time, John Brzenk.


“We are always looking for unique ways to raise awareness for the Youth Project, while creating fun events for the community,” said Kim Goldman, Executive Director for the SCV Youth Project.  “When John Burgeson came to us with this idea, we jumped on it.  Arm wrestling is something we have all done, so why not make it an event out of it?  We have invited city officials, law enforcement, local business owners and the junior high and high schools to challenge each other.  Should be a lot of fun to watch Don Fleming (Valencia Acura) and Joe Caso (Frontier Toyota) square off or Councilwoman Laurie Ender put an elbow on the table to help raise money.  Come and find out who she challenges!”

Wrestlers will compete in different classes, according to experience (professional, amateur, novice and youth), weight and age.  Professional referees will be monitoring the event and it will be run as a formal tournament, as seen on ESPN and ARM TV. 
Throughout the event guests will enjoy food and drink and an opportunity to take pictures with and ask questions of a world champion arm wrestler, John “The Perfect Storm” Brzenk.  He is recognized as the best arm wrestler in the sport by Guinness Book of World Records, is in the Arm Wrestling Hall of Fame, and holds numerous world champion titles in both left and right arm competitions.

Producing the Pull for the Kids event is Santa Clarita based business owner, John Burgeson.  Burgeson, of Burgeson Contractors is a champion in his own right.  He has held four world titles, five National Titles, 20 State Titles, just to name a few.  John still competes presently and serves as president of the Professional Arm Wrestling Conference, World’s Wrist Wrestling Championship, Inc, also promotes arm wrestling with ESPN, ESPN2, FOX and is a commentator for ESPN2.

Co-chairing the event are Youth Project Board Members, Greg Wells of California United Bank and Jerry Citarella, Infinity Wealth Management.  Greg, a recent recipient of SCV Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 also serves as the SCVYP Fundraising Chair.  Jerry, an avid arm wrestler, who has competed for over a decade, raised more than $3,000 for the Youth Project last year when he competed in his weight class.

The Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project has been successfully providing services free to teens in the Santa Clarita Valley for 10 years, with services on six high schools and seven junior high campuses.  In 2008 to 2009, the Youth Project provided more than 2000 hours of service to over 1000 youth in the Santa Clarita Valley with serious life challenges, including depression, suicide, grief/loss, peer pressure and drug/alcohol abuse, said Kim Goldman, executive director.

Sponsors include: Burgeson Contractors, California United Bank, Infinity Wealth Management, Residence Inn and QM Design Group.
The Second Annual Pull for the Kids Arm Wrestling Challenge will take place on Saturday, November 14, 2009 with registration and weigh-in beginning at 9 a.m.  The tournament begins at 1 p.m.  The Residence Inn is located at 25320 The Old Road in Santa Clarita.  Sponsorships are available from $250 to $1200 and tickets are $25 for professionals, amateurs, first timers and $5 for youth.  For more information, please visit www.proarmwrestling.com or www.HelpNotHassle.org.

The SCV Youth Project helps kids facing such serious issues as drug/alcohol abuse, anger, divorce, peer pressure, grief/loss, suicide, depression, etc.  The Youth Project offers free, bilingual, one-to-one or group counseling, distribute FRY cards (which lists emergency numbers) and leads a variety of specialized youth programs.

For more information, about the SCV Youth Project, visit www.HelpNotHassle.org .