Escape artist promotes domestic violence awareness
Mario Manzini will perform at a chili luncheon and silent auction this month.
Published Oct. 10, 2006
Local escape artist Mario Manzini survived a daring underwater escape attempt Saturday by wriggling out of 10 pairs of handcuffs. He failed to beat his record but met a more charitable goal.
He performed the stunt to raise interest in National Domestic Abuse Awareness month. He will also perform at a chili luncheon and silent auction to benefit the Battered Mothers Resource Fund Inc. The event will be held Oct. 14 at the Boone County Historical Society.
Before his escape attempt in Wilson's Fitness Center pool, Manzini freed himself from a pair of handcuffs fastened by Boone County Sheriff's Deputy Jason Carlyle.
He also demonstrated the effectiveness of the handcuffs he would use by describing their weight and use to the crowd.
As swimmers in the pool stopped to watch, Manzini struggled with the handcuffs before he escaped and resurfaced.
As Carlyle pulled him from the pool, Manzini asked him, "Can I try getting out of your jail?"
The Battered Mothers Resource Fund Inc. is a Columbia-based organization that assists victims of domestic abuse, office manager Tom Sill said.
The funds raised at the Oct. 14 luncheon will benefit the Resource Fund's Youth Enrichment Program.
The program will use the money to buy equipment for extracurricular activities including band and athletic teams, Sill said.
"The kids are the key to ending domestic violence," he said.
Sill said children who grow up in violent homes could grow up to cause domestic violence themselves.
Sill said the organization will auction 17 pieces of sports memorabilia, along with other items including tools, gift items, vacation packages and a barbecue.
Manzini said when the organization contacted him to book his magic act, he offered to perform at the event for free. He also offered to perform the escape stunt in order to promote the luncheon and auction.
"Anytime I can help anybody, I do it," he said. "Everybody should be that way. Just help each other because that's what life is all about."
Although Manzini will not perform any dangerous stunts at the luncheon, he said he will perform escapes and magic tricks during the two-hour event.