Celebrity-Packed PSA for Boys and Girls Clubs of America

Ahkeem Hollimon, one of the Boys and Girls Clubs “Youths of the Year,” is dreaming big.

“My plan is to work my way up the Boys and Girls Club ladder,” said the central Florida resident. “All the way to CEO one day.”

With its new celebrity-packed public service announcement, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America is hoping to help Hollimon and the 4 million kids at more than 4,000 of its clubs across America realize and fulfill their dreams.

The new, starry PSA, which was directed by Ron Howard, proclaims to have a simple message: that they all made it with the help of strong, caring adults they met at their local clubs.

The celebrities include Shaquille O’Neal, Gen. Wesley Clark, Smokey Robinson, Mario Lopez, Martin Sheen and so many more.

Denzel Washington, who for almost 20 years has been a national spokesman for the Boys and Girls Clubs, started going to his local club when he was just 6. He was provided hot meals, sports and educational opportunities and so much more.

He explained to ABC News how the organization makes a difference in youths’ lives.

“I think because there are people in your life every day that care for you,” he said. “It’s a safe, comfortable, loving environment.”

Jennifer Lopez, who helped chair the celebrity PSA effort, started singing and dancing at the Boys and Girls Club in the Bronx.

“It just gave me a great sense of hope and really, really kickstarted my dream,” she said.