2013-2014 Torch Club Members (left to right)
Back row: David Benitez, Dalton Wise, Karley Barber, Kaitlyn Conway, Adriane Seymour, Kayleigh Kowal, Catherine Jones, Faith Blondin
Middle row: Alyssa Rodriguez, Anastasia Zoniga, Kenny Guertin, Christopher Renaudette, Envii Luciano, Delilah Hubeny, Jenalyse Ayala
Front row: Kharynna Rodriguez, Lindsey Reopel, Layla Williams, James Renaudette (Photo submitted)
WESTFIELD – Every year around Halloween the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield’s Torch Club sets up a haunted house for the members of the Club. This year the Haunted House held on October 25 and was also opened to the children of the 104thFighter Wing.
“We started creating haunted houses for all youth members to go through about five years ago,” said Blair Tomaino, the education coordinator at the Boys & Girls Club. “The Torch Club members really put a lot of effort into making the haunted house as fun and scary as possible.”
Awards are given to members for best costume and every kid receives a goody bag.
Torch Club is a small group of Club members, aged 11-13, who learn to elect officers and work together to implement activities in four areas: service to the Club and community, education, health and fitness and social recreation. This leadership program is a powerful vehicle through which Club staff can help meet the special needs of younger adolescents at a critical stage in their development.
“Torch Club organizes fun events throughout the year for Club members and also runs a variety of fundraisers to support other local nonprofits,” explained Tomaino. “Every year we make a donation to the Make a Wish Foundation, Breast Cancer Rays of Hope and sponsor a table at the Club’s annual Youth of the Year dinner. The Torch Club is a great way for children to learn the importance of giving back to their community.”
With the guidance of caring adult mentors, Torch members develop essential character traits – Responsibility, respect for self and others, trustworthiness, fairness and caring – as they learn leadership skills that help them influence others in positive ways.
