The Chargers Impact Fund recently received a significant honor as the group was inducted into the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles Hall of Fame.
The Impact Fund was honored at the DreamBuilders Gala on October 17 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.
The honor wasn't lost on Dean Spanos, the Chargers Owner and Charmain of the Board, who said the moment made him think of his parents, Alex and Faye, who worked tirelessly to give back to multiple communities.
"This one is special for me," Spanos said in an acceptance speech. "My dad, Alex Spanos, had two passions in life — football and giving back.
"When he bought the team, one of the very first things he did was start the Chargers Impact Fund," Spanos added. "He believed football was more than a game. It was about teamwork, community and taking care of one another."
The Impact Fund was highlighted for multiple important programs that have helped the youth of Los Angeles in recent years.
The first, called Rhymes with Reason, integrates hip-hop music to build literacy, confidence and connection. The program has engaged hundreds of teens and advanced reading skills while celebrating their voice and creativity.
Calm Corners is a dedicated wellness spaces at every club that enables youth to build resilience and improve their emotional well-being. Each space reminds our members that they matter and gives them the tools to turn struggle into strength.
The final program, Bolts Book Club, involves group discussions and themed activities to help reading become a shared experience.
The Chargers connection with Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles also includes a $400,000 donation made in 2018 that was used to improve and enhance existing athletic fields, plus establish new teen centers at the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles Watts/Willowbrook and Challengers Clubhouses.
Spanos said at the gala that while he is proud of the Chargers work in the community, it's the staff at the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles that does incredible work on a daily basis.
"Your staff and your kids inspire us every single day. We might be the ones getting this award, but you're the real heroes — the dream builders, the game changers the everyday life savers doing the hard work that makes this city better," Spanos said.
"We're proud to stand beside you as teammates and partners," Spanos added.
The first Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles Clubhouse opened in 1960, the same year as the Chargers first NFL game in Los Angeles.
