I am so proud that the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme are able to provide our youth quality programs focused on the arts, education, character and leadership development, and health and recreation.

Last week, thanks to SoCalGas, the Lakers Community Youth Foundation, Food Share of Ventura County, Supervisor Vianey Lopez, and Reiter Affiliated Companies, our members enjoyed a full-day program centered around healthy lifestyles.

The Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation held their Basketball and Health & Fitness Clinic with top of line Basketball and Health & Fitness instruction and informative nutritional overview.

Next, SoCalGas took over with their “Fueling our Communities” Initiative. SoCalGas partnered with BGCOP and Food Share to provide $110,000 in funding for over 22,300 healthy meals, backpacks, school supplies and fun back to school events.

At the Martin V. Smith Youth Center, members enjoyed a healthy snack and cooking demonstration given by Port Commissioner Celina Zacarias, Maria Ventura, and Supervisor Vianey Lopez. They ate and learned how to make a wrap of whole wheat tortilla, sunflower spread, fresh raspberries and blackberries provided by Reiter Affiliated Companies, and a honey drizzle.

Finally, everyone joined a three-segment program of a boxing demonstration given by our very own Harriet H. Samuelsson (HHS) Teen Center boxers and coach, and two different obstacle courses.

It was an incredible day and the perfect way to kick off a healthy school year!

From right to left: Commissioner Celina Zacarias, Maria Ventura, and Supervisor Vianey Lopez giving our members a cooking demonstration.

Members receiving backpacks with a gift card for groceries in partnership with Food Share of Ventura County, courtesy of SoCalGas.

Interactive boxing demonstration given by HHS Teen Center boxers and coach. Obstacle courses are running in the rest of the gym!