Gloves Up Guns Down | Tab Butler
Tab Butler is an inspiring philanthropist, constantly giving back to her Aiken, South Carolina community. From driving older community members around, providing internet and computers to students during the pandemic, to helping youth organizations, Tab is always looking for ways to pay it forward in her community. Tab has even started her own non-profit, Love With Action, so she can have an even bigger impact in her community!
“When I turned 50, it kind of clicked. I have way more years behind me than before me, and I want to make the best of it.”
Two years ago, Tab stumbled across Gloves Up, Guns Down, a boxing gym dedicated to raising awareness and decreasing gun violence within the community. When Tab first learned about Gloves Up, Guns Down, the small boxing gym for Aiken youth was located in the backyard of James and Brittany Hankinson. This small urban backyard gym was complete with a wooden boxing ring and various gym equipment, all out in the open, exposed to the elements. Tab was inspired by what the Hankinsons were doing; she said, “I drove by there to see it, and low and behold, it was a nice thought, but the thought of having the kids outside, hot and in the sun, training worried me.” Tab saw the need for better supplies and support for the gym and immediately stepped in to help. She started small by sending over supplies like snacks and Gatorade, but she didn't stop there. Over the past two years, Tab volunteered over 90 hours, and because of that, her employer gifted Gloves Up, Guns Down $1,500.
Can you describe your project and what you hope to achieve from it?
Today, Tab is using the Let’s Choose Love grant to provide the gym with the supplies they need for tournaments. Supplies like tape, gloves, and training equipment make a huge difference for these kids as they learn about healthy competition and hard work. Tab says, “they need supplies and stuff to house, train, and feed these kids. It takes money to get their mission done. I was able to help them with that, and they were very grateful for that. I want to continue to help them with this mission.” In addition to physically sponsoring the young boxers, Tab is dedicated to sharing the mission of Gloves Up, Guns Down.
Why is this important to you?
“It is important because they are helping keep kids off the street.”
Tab understands that gun violence is a big problem in Aiken and has only worsened over the years. Tab believes gun violence has increased due to “not having a father figure, not having positive circumstances, and no money.” Gloves Up, Guns Down is helping keep kids off the street and out of trouble; she wants to be a part of that. Having a safe and constructive place to go gives Aiken kids access positive role models, a positive outlet, and a community that will help support them as they grow.
“A few months back, a teenage boy was killed. All the violence is around me in the city, but despite the violence, if we put effort into helping kids stay off the street, we can help the violence. If we can get to the reason why there is violence, we can help. It will take some years to get there, but we have to start somewhere.”
What impact do you expect this project to have on the community?
Tab believes in finding the root of problems and fixing the root of the issues to create positive change. For Tab, Gloves Up, Guns Down addresses some of the origins of gun violence, like the lack of role models to guide kids. “Everyone has a part to take in this. I am doing the part I can so I can sleep at night and have peace and know that I am helping. No matter what happens, I will still be at peace knowing I was trying to solve the problem.”
What are your plans for the project/ your journey in the future?
“My big goal is to build or renovate a teen tower, where kids can come in after school and do their homework and be in a safe environment.” Tab envisions creating a space with different classes, a gym, a computer lab, etc, so that kids can access things they need to move up in the world. Instead of kids in her community getting the scraps and being left behind, Tab wants to create a place that empowers youth.
What else would you like people to know about your project?
As for Gloves Up, Guns Down, “We are going to be here with or without help from others. We will keep trucking along because we are trying to save our youth.” I think we can all agree with Tab when she says, “the children really are our future, and we have the opportunity to mold and shape them in love.”
To learn more about Tab Butler and her organization, Love with Action, check out her website. To see what the young boxers are up to, check out the Gloves Up, Guns Down Facebook Page.
