The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica JAMS Branch celebrated two national awards Friday for its leadership and service to the community.
Pre-teens Torch Club members were recognized for their outstanding efforts in Health & Fitness and Education, with first and third place for the Torch Club Award from Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Staples Foundation.
Torch Clubs are chartered, small-group leadership and service clubs for boys and girls ages 11 to 13.
At the event, representatives from Staples presented two oversized checks for $2,500 and $1,000 to honor them for the positive impact they’ve had on the local community.
The middle school-age youth have completed a variety of service projects throughout the school year, including:
- Holding its annual elections for Torch Club officers on the National Election Day, to help teach what it means to be civically responsible
- "Christmas Care for Canines" event benefitted the homeless with animals, who can go to the OPCC homeless shelter to get food for themselves and their pets
- Store Front Clean Up where Torch Club members cleaned up business fronts including windows
- Heal the Bay a project picking up trash along local beaches
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
