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BE GREAT. BE GREEN Survey Reveals Environmental Issues Concerning Today's Youth and Encourages a Call to Action

Posted on: Thursday, 26 March 2009, 07:00 CDT

Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Staples Foundation for Learning Honor Young People Working to Become Environmental Citizens

ATLANTA, March 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- While the United States Environmental Protection Agency is looking for ways to save the environment, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) is encouraging Torch Club members to speak up about what environmental issues concern them most. Recently, BGCA and Staples Foundation for Learning (SFFL), a private foundation created by Staples, Inc., conducted a national survey to determine the level of awareness and interest young adults have when it comes to issues related to the environment -- both on a global scale and within their communities.

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Approximately 1,200 Torch Club members participated in the survey which is part of BGCA's BE GREAT. BE GREEN initiative that is encouraging youth to become active environmental citizens. Torch Clubs are chartered, small groups for Boys & Girls Club members, ages 11 to 13, which focus on the development of character and leadership skills.

The survey revealed that 92 percent of teens who participated in the survey are concerned about the environment. The two issues they are most concerned with on a larger scale are global warming (33 percent) and pollution (30 percent). Twenty-one percent agree that if elected President of the United States, global warming would be the first environmental issue they would address. Within their own communities, those surveyed say recycling concerns them the most (32 percent).

The survey's key findings include:

• Nearly half of respondents (46 percent) recycle and/or reuse food and drink containers (26 percent)
• To improve the environment, 40 percent of respondents would take shorter daily showers to use less water
• To save energy, 30 percent would watch less TV and play fewer video games
• Twenty-six percent would encourage their families to take public transportation more often

For Torch Club members of Edgewater Boys & Girls Club of Volusia/Flagler Counties in Florida, the environment has proven to be a top priority. The Club has been recognized for taking action in addressing an environmental issue within their own community through their National Service Project. It has been named the national winner of The Staples Foundation for Learning Torch Club Award. The award recognizes youth-led programs that reinforce the importance of caring for the environment through renewing, preserving, and beautifying outdoor spaces, and includes a $2,500 cash prize.

This year's focus of the Torch Club National Service Project, BE GREAT. BE GREEN, reinforced BGCA's mission of helping young people play an active role in improving the environment in their communities. The Edgewater Boys & Girls Torch Club competed amongst nearly one thousand Torch Clubs across the country who developed and implemented programs to make their Club and local community more eco-friendly.

Edgewater Boys & Girls Club's national winning project entitled "Monofilament Recovery and Recycling," included researching the dangers of monofilament (a thin string made from a single fiber used for fishing) to humans, birds, and other animals. In response to their findings, the Club developed a recycling program that consisted of creating monofilament collection bins and distributed them throughout the community, in particular to fishermen in the area, for an easy way to dispose recycled items. The project successfully raised awareness around the danger of monofilament and will result in long-term benefits to wildlife and their community for years to come.

After being selected as a regional winner, Edgewater Boys & Girls Club advanced to the national competition where their project was judged against four other regional Torch Club BE GREAT. BE GREEN projects. The project was named the national winner by a panel of expert judges, including Starre Vartan, editor of Greenopia.com, founder and editor of Eco-chick.com, and the author of "The Eco Chick Guide to Life"; Lisa Bardwell, chief executive officer of Earth Force; Mark Buckley, vice president of environmental affairs for Staples, Inc.; Camille Winbush, entrepreneur and actress ("The Bernie Mac Show" and "The Secret Life of An American Teenager"); and BGCA's senior vice president, Program & Youth Development Services, Judith J. Pickens.

"We all know how important it is to protect our country's natural resources so they can be enjoyed for future generations, and are pleased that our Club members recognize the need to help preserve the environment," said Judith J. Pickens, senior vice president of Program & Youth Development Services at BGCA. "We are grateful to Staples Foundation for Learning, whose support allows us to conduct this awards program, motivating our members to use their skills and talents for the greater good of the world around them."

"The Edgewater Boys & Girls Club was selected based on its creativity, relevance to the community, and the demonstration of Torch Club members' character and leadership skills," said Mark Buckley, vice president of environmental affairs for Staples. "Staples Foundation for Learning supports the Torch Club's National Service Project and the efforts of these youth to address environmental issues concerning their communities and the world."

Since 2002, Staples Foundation for Learning has been the national supporter of BGCA's Torch Club program, which serves more than 10,000 youth across the United States and on military bases overseas. To date, SFFL has donated a total of $10 million in monetary and in-kind product donations to BGCA to fund the program. Torch Clubs has helped thousands of young people realize their full potential by fostering positive self-esteem and personal growth, building communication skills, reinforcing academic achievement and encouraging the development of conscientious citizenship.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) has been changing and saving young lives, providing hope and opportunity for kids who need them most. Today, some 4,300 Clubs serve some 4.8 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Known as The Positive Place for Kids, Boys & Girls Clubs can be found all across the country and on U.S. military bases throughout the world. Clubs provide young people 6-18 years old with guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained, professional staff. In communities large and small, Clubs positively impact lives and help young people reach their full potential as productive, caring citizens. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize leadership development; education and career exploration; community service; financial literacy; health and life skills; the arts; sports, fitness and recreation; and family outreach. In a recent Harris Survey of Club alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their life. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.

About Staples Foundation for Learning

The mission of Staples Foundation for Learning, Inc. is to teach, train and inspire. Founded in 2002, the foundation has contributed more than $14 million to national and local charities that provide educational opportunities and job skills for all people, with a special emphasis on disadvantaged youth. Staples Foundation for Learning has also developed lasting relationships with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Earth Force, Hispanic Heritage Foundation and the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City. In addition, Staples Foundation for Learning supports Ashoka, an organization that develops and supports social entrepreneurs around the world, in eight countries: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Spain and the United States. For more information about the foundation or how to apply for a grant, please visit www.staplesfoundation.org.

SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Source: PR Newswire

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