Boys & Girls Clubs Open New Branch
LAKEWOOD, Colo (CBS4) - The Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver are offering a new place to play to 280 new members in Jefferson County. The organization just opened the Jefferson County Branch at O'Connell Middle School in August. This is the culmination of a 4-year project and already the club sees about 100 kids every day.
"The Boys & Girls Clubs is an amazing place to be. It's just so much fun. Kids from all ages come, it's just a place to hang out, have fun, do homework, and just relax," said Brian Torres, 12, a founding member of the club.
Torres has four brothers and sister ranging in age from 2-years-old to 19-years-old. He loves his siblings, but also enjoys his time at the club where he gets to play with children his own age.
"At home I can't really go and play basketball because sometimes my little brother's kind of crazy and I have to help my Mom," Torres told CBS4.
Right now the Jefferson County Branch is serving students from O'Connell Middle School as well as children from a nearby elementary school. Of the 280 members, 78 –percent are eligible for free and reduced lunch. Torres is concerned about those kids whose families can't afford toys during the holidays.
"I just think that everybody should have a Happy Christmas… at least get one thing at Christmas so they can be happy," Torres said.
You can help make sure every Boys & Girls Club child has a Happy Christmas by donating a toy to the CBS4 Care 4 Colorado Toy Drive. Collection bins are located in all King Soopers stores through December 31st.
- Written for the Web by CBS4 Special Projects Producer Libby Smith
