Jaffarian Volvo Toyota, a full-service, award-winning family-owned dealership, today donated an additional $10,000 to its Jaffarian Youth in Motion Fund, a charitable program that enables local youth in need to participate in sports and activities that provide structure, discipline, teach sportsmanship and, ultimately, promote a healthy, active lifestyle.
The donation includes giving an additional $5,000 each to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Haverhill and the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence. Both clubs received an initial $5,000 for this effort when the Youth in Motion Fund was launched in April 2016. Since that time, the funds have been used to help numerous boys and girls in need take part in a wide range of sports and activities, from basketball and field hockey teams, to National Youth Leadership forums and summer camps.
The Jaffarian Youth in Motion Fund was formed to address the clear need of making funds readily available to local youth so they can participate in activities they otherwise might not have the means to take part in. For example, the funds are used to provide needed sportswear and equipment to play basketball, field hockey and take part in swim teams and go to summer camps. The Youth in Motion Fund focuses on the Boys & Girls Clubs since they are in an ideal position to identify needs and allocate funds directly to their members.
“We’re thrilled to expand the Youth in Motion effort, as we’ve seen firsthand how it has made a difference in the lives of local kids who don’t have the means to take part in sports and activities that can enrich their lives,” said Gary Jaffarian, President and CEO, Jaffarian Volvo Toyota. “The Boys & Girls Clubs have done a terrific job of using the fund to help their deserving members get what they need to proudly participate in basketball, field hockey and swim teams, as well as enroll in summer camps. The thank you letters I receive from these kids are incredibly touching and reinforce what my family has always believed, which is that sports foster physical and mental well being, teach important life skills like sportsmanship, and also bring joy and self confidence.”
“We are delighted and excited to continue partnering with Jaffarian Youth in Motion,” said Brian Theirrien, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Haverhill. “Over the past year, Jaffarian YIM has helped more than 75 children with sports equipment and special events such as college tours and weekend basketball tournaments. Without this support from Jaffarian YIM, our members would never have the opportunity for personal and team growth in these areas. Because of Jaffarian YIM our inner-city children can compete with other youth across New England at an elite level!”
“We’re grateful for the Jaffarian Youth in Motion Fund, as it has enabled so many of our economically disadvantaged youth members to take part in sports and activities alongside their peers, and to do so with confidence,” said Manny Ayala, Director of Program Services at the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence. “To date, this fund has provided our members with everything from new basketball sneakers and prescription swim goggles, to dance equipment, cheerleading uniforms and sleeping bags for camps, helping deserving kids to participate in activities that enrich their lives.”
The Jaffarian Youth in Motion Fund continues the dealership’s legacy of helping youth in Merrimack Valley participate in a variety of sports and exercise programs. Jaffarian has long had a passion for and commitment to giving back to the community in the area of youth sports. Over the years, the dealership has sponsored numerous sports teams, helped Haverhill High build a weight room, raised $50,000+ to offset the costs of participating in high school sports, and brought busloads of local kids to Celtics and Red Sox games. www.jaffarian.com