In efforts to raise awareness on energy and environmental issues, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) collaborated with Samsung to organize the Samsung Climate Superstars Challenge where 219 nationwide Boys & Girls Clubs tackled sustainability issues including energy-efficiency improvement, water conservation and waste reduction. After completing weekly challenges based on environment protection, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest New Jersey’s Pequannock Unit was selected as the challenge winner.
“We’re incredibly proud of all our young Club members who helped us to win the Samsung Climate Superstars Challenge,” Joe Lynch, chief professional officer with Boys & Girls Clubs of Pequannock. “Global warming is a serious issue and we’re grateful to Samsung for helping show our youth how they can incorporate simple sustainability practices here at our Club, at home and throughout their lives.”
Throughout the competition, prizes were awarded to Clubs based on points derived from the number of tasks completed. In addition to completing all contest requirements, the Pequannock Club held an e-waste drive, recycled a wooden bedframe into a flowerbed, organized a riverbed cleanup, visited a local power plant that generates electricity using waterfalls and even hosted an Earth Hour party for the lights-off energy initiative gathering all club member together. Upon the contests’ completion, it was evident that Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest New Jersey’s Pequannock Unit had exceeded contest requirements and displayed a genuine passion for raising awareness on climate change.
To celebrate their achievement and over $45,000 in prizes, the Pequannock Club held a celebratory event at the club where representatives from Samsung, the Environmental Protection Agency and the BGCA attended to announce the Pequannock Club as the recipient of a tech makeover including over $20,000 worth of tablets, computers and TVs.
The remaining contest participants have also put a significant amount of effort into protecting the environment. Malon D. Mimms Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta recycled CDs to lightly reflect sunlight into animals’ eyes to stop them from eating and destroying vegetation. Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County members collected used electronics to donate to Goodwill, while Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno recycled old t-shirts, using the sleeves for coin purses and the bodice to make bags.
“Nothing makes us happier than seeing children take action to help protect the environment because of the lessons they learned through the Samsung Climate Superstars Challenge,” said Katherine Davies, manager of corporate sustainability at Samsung Electronics America. “We are very impressed by the great efforts from each participating Club, and we are delighted to recognize Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest New Jersey Pequannock Unit for their exemplary efforts and look towards them as future stewards of global sustainability.”
