From news release
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — This Friday you can cheer on a Rockford native as he vies for a mixed martial arts title and help raise money for a nonprofit that helps veterans take the trip of a lifetime.
Corey Anderson will face Vadim Nemkov for the Bellator light heavyweight world championship on Friday, and the official watch party is at Rockford Casino: A Hard Rock Opening Act.
The 32-year-old former Hononegah High School wrestler partnered with List Plus Seven Co., Rockford Casino and Rock’n Vodka for the Bellator 277 championship watch party and VetsRoll fundraiser.
“I’m excited to have a local event in my hometown where everyone can come out and watch my biggest fight to date, while also supporting a local cause that helps veterans,” Anderson said in a news release.
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The event, titled “Rock with Corey, Roll with Vets,” will showcase Bellator 277 on the Midway Bar and casino big screens. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Friday at the casino, 610 N. Bell School Road, and culminates with the main event featuring Anderson at approximately 8 p.m. The event is free to attend and will have giveaways throughout the night.
VetsRoll is a nonprofit started in 2010 that raises money annually to give veterans and “Rosie-the-Riveters” the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., at no cost. The four-day trip to various war memorials is returning this year after two years off because of the pandemic. This year’s trip is planned for May 22-25. Veterans must have been in active duty before the end of 1966 to qualify.
“VetsRoll, Inc. is thrilled to be selected by hometown hero Corey ‘Overtime’ Anderson as the veteran charity of his choice,” said Mark Finnegan, president of VetsRoll, in a news release. “Corey‘s choice to support the veteran community in his hometown shows us Corey will never forget his upbringing here in the Midwest. What an honor this is for VetsRoll and what an opportunity for us to showcase Rockford, Illinois, to the entire nation.”
For more information or to donate in advance online, head to RockWithCorey.com and follow the Rock with Corey, Roll with Vets Facebook event page.
