Members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County-Duneland Unit’s Torch Club/VOICE expressed their desire to live in a smoke-free world to State Senator Ed Charbonneau and State Representative Ed Soliday at a legislative meeting held on February 17, 2012 at Valparaiso City Hall. The meeting, sponsored by the Tobacco Education & Prevention Coalition for Porter County, provided a forum for the public to discuss a bill currently before the State Senate to ban smoking in the workplace.
Torch Club is a leadership and service group for Boys & Girls Club members ages 11-13. Torch Club members learn to elect officers and work together to implement activities in four areas: service to Club and community, education, health and fitness and social recreation.
VOICE is the youth led anti-tobacco movement in Indiana which strives to educate and prevent young Hoosiers from becoming smokers.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County has been serving youth for 40 years. The Clubs provide programs for more than 5,000 boys and girls in the areas of character and leadership development, educational enhancement, career preparation, health and life skills, the arts and sports, fitness and recreation.
The Boys & Girls Clubs offers affordable $25.00 annual membership ($20.00 at the Duneland Unit) with Club sites located in Valparaiso, South Haven, Duneland and Portage. For more information on membership, volunteer opportunities or to make a tax deductible donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, please contact your local Club or call (219) 464-7282 or visit www.bgcpoco.org Great Futures start HERE.
Photos:
- Pictured from left, Alyssa Hamby, Paige Vlietstra, Brittany Schilla, Rep. Ed Soliday, Julia Gonzalez, John Adkins, Sen. Ed Charbonneau, Jake Vlietstra and Kyrsten Boswell.
- VOICE Member Julia Gonzalez presents her arguements to Sen. Ed Charbonneau and Rep. Ed Soliday at a "Meeting with Your Legislators" on Friday Feb 17 at the Valparaiso City Hall. The meeting was sponsored by the Tobacco Education & Prevention Coalition for Porter County