Boys and Girls Club annual gala

Someone the children can look up to? Kareem Abdul Jabar was among the well-known people at the Boys and Girls Club Heroes and High Hopes Gala, held this month at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

At this year’s gala, philanthropists Carol and Jim Collins were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The couple established the James A. Collins Youth Center, home to the Boys and Girls Club of Venice. And UCLA freshman Aaron Lopez, winner of a Toyota Financial Services’ “Making Life Easier” scholarship spoke about the club and its impact on his life.

Boys and Girls Club programs emphasize character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation.

-- Mary MacVean

Photo credit: John Sciulli / Berliner Studio / BEImages