SALEM — The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem announced Salem Five Bank is its 2023 corporate champion and St. John’s Prep is its 2023 community champion.
Both institutions have stood strong with the club for decades, but it is this year’s efforts that highlight our champions.
Salem Five Bank went above and beyond this year when Executive Vice President and Human Resources Director Helen Topor realized most of the club kids were in dire need of shoes. She quickly formed a small army and a shoe drive called the “Salem Five KICKstarter campaign,” in which the employees of Salem Five really stepped up.
More than 150 shoes were delivered in late winter, each to fit the wish of each kid. And it doesn’t stop there. The bank has supported the club as a sponsor this year at all events.
If you visit the club on a Thursday, you might see a team of smiling young men mixing in with the counselors and kids, each there to learn but also to lend a hand, lead a group, or demonstrate an activity. St. John’s Prep has been providing these mentors for 25 years. Some young men have stayed on as counselors and some stay to simply continue volunteering.
The parents and staff at the Prep also buy hundreds of presents for the Boys & Girls Club families and children each year. Their support allows every kid to receive a gift during the holidays.
The awards will be presented at the annual Champion For Kids Celebration, which will be held this year at Ledger Restaurant on Wednesday, Nov. 8.
The evening will be elegant but full of fun and games and an art auction. The art auction features local artists, but notably two Salvador Dali prints are among the collection. There are silent items and live, the Dalis are sure to go live.
The Champion For Kids Celebration is a much anticipated event, and the club’s board of trustees leads the way. To join the festivities, visit bgcgs.org.
