Sunday, November 13, 2011
The support and encouragement you can give a child as a Big Brother or Big Sister is a gift that will be treasured for a lifetime.
When you find yourself wandering the mall this holiday season, consider giving a simple gift that has the power to transform a child’s life—the gift of your time. The support and encouragement you can give a child as a Big Brother or Big Sister is a gift that will be treasured for a lifetime. During this time of giving thanks, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri is so thankful for the many volunteers—more than 2,500 already this year alone—who have shared their time with a child. Our Big Brothers and Big Sisters enthusiastically say this is time well spent. “Jada has really helped me keep in touch with the playful and fun side of myself that can get lost in the busy rush of life with family and career,” shares Big Sister Corinne …
Sunday, October 30, 2011
At the agency’s signature event, donors get together to have fun for a cause.
For more than 27 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has gathered support for the agency through its signature fundraiser, Bowl for Kids’ Sake. Bowl for Kids' Sake has raised more than $5 million in the course of its 27-year history, making it the largest and most successful bowling fundraiser in the state of Missouri. One hundred percent of the funds raised remain in the Eastern Missouri region and are used to help Big Brothers Big Sisters surround children with trusting and enduring relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters has always valued those who support the agency through their generous donations. BBBS supports a relationship model known as 4:1+1sm. This model engages the four most significant adults in a Little’s life—parent, teacher, …
Sunday, October 23, 2011
BBBS is two-thirds of the way to their campaign goal.
Four months ago, Big Brothers Big Sisters launched the Be There Now! campaign with a lofty goal in mind—to identify and recruit 600 new volunteers in just six months. Now, with 402 new Bigs since the start of the campaign, they are just 198 away from reaching that goal. But, with more than 1,100 children waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister, there’s never been a better time than now to get involved. For the Littles, the impact of having a mentor is powerful. Independent studies conducted by Public/Private Ventures, a national research organization, demonstrate the power of these relationships. Compared to similar youth, Littles who were teamed up with a Big Brother or Big Sister were less likely to begin using drugs or alcohol and less …
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Since 1923, United Way has been a steady partner of Big Brothers Big Sisters, helping to ensure funding for the agency for more than 70 years.
Since 1923, United Way has been a steady partner of Big Brothers Big Sisters, helping to ensure funding for the agency for more than 70 years. And now it is Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri’s turn to give back, as agency staff members participate in fund raising events to help the United Way reach the $71 million goal for this year’s annual campaign. With its network of nearly 200 agencies, the United Way invests $1 million in the community every week to child-care agencies, emergency shelters, food pantries and more. At Big Brothers Big Sisters, this funding enables the agency to Be There for a child who needs a caring adult in their life. Big Brothers Big Sisters promises to Be There for its Littles, and that is exactly what …
Sunday, October 9, 2011
One of the many roles that “Bigs” play in “Littles’” lives is to help guide them in making good decisions like staying in school, avoiding drugs or crime and getting good grades.
Until last summer, 17-year-old Thomas had to be the man around the house to his five siblings while also attending classes at the Construction Careers Center and trying to figure out how he would ever get into college. “I’m the oldest of six kids and it’s hard,” Thomas said. “My mom works all the time, and I’ve got to be like their parent.” But in June 2010, he met Mark Winschel, a project manager for S.M. Wilson & Co. and a volunteer mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. Winschel was paired with Thomas, and they’ve been building a close friendship ever since. They meet at the CCC once a month and then get together outside of school for outings such as lunch, a Rams game, golfing—and a big one for Thomas—his first …
Sunday, September 25, 2011
The full-service real estate company partners with the Rams to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri.
Upper End Properties, a full-service real-estate company based in Clayton, is excited to join forces with St. Louis Rams Wide Receiver Mike Sims-Walker to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. With every touchdown reception by Sims-Walker during the 2011 season, Upper End will donate $1,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. “I think Mike is going to have a big year for the Rams, so we felt that he was the perfect guy to do a promotion like this with” said Cory Spielberg, operating partner of Upper End Properties. If recent history is any barometer, Spielberg’s prediction may prove to be true. The ex-Jacksonville Jaguar has had seven receiving touchdowns in each of the last two seasons. “We all love football anyway, but …
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Local agency renews call for more volunteer Bigs.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
- Kathy Martin
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Sunday, September 18, 2011
The nation’s continuing economic uncertainty is challenging for most, but it is especially challenging for the nation’s at-risk youth. These youth - many of whom live in our St Louis community- are already facing multiple obstacles. But there is good news – some programs are making a difference. According to Philanthropedia, Big Brothers Big Sisters is not just making a difference but has been ranked best of the best on a list of most recommended, high-impact national nonprofits serving at-risk youth. The nation's leader in quality, youth mentoring, Big Brothers Big Sisters received praise for its effective mentoring model that leads to positive and measurable youth outcomes for children who face adversity, as well as for its …
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Big Brother or Big Sister and professional program staff ensures the Little is surrounded by the people who care about them the most.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri’s relationship model, known as 4:1+1, engages the most significant adults in a Little’s life—parent, teacher, Big Brother or Big Sister and professional program staff to ensure the Little is surrounded by the people who care about them the most. Each adult has an important relationship and a distinct role that offers Littles encouragement and support. This wouldn’t be possible without their “Sixth Membersm” on the team—the donor! We’ll Be There is the agency’s promise to Little Brothers and Little Sisters. Bigs in conjunction with the agency do not commit to “fix” challenges Littles encounter in life, but they do commit to “be there”—for encouragement and support. Big Brothers and Big Sisters …
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters thank the volunteers who make their mission possible.
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of more than 700,000 volunteers in the area, St. Louis has been ranked 10th out of all major cities across the country in its volunteer rate. According to annual research from Volunteering in America, more than 31.3 percent of St. Louis residents donate their time to volunteer work. This, of course, comes as no surprise to the team at Big Brothers Big Sisters. The agency has always relied on the generous contributions of its volunteers. In 2011, nearly 2,800 volunteers will assist Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri in carrying out its mission of building trusting and enduring relationships that encourage and support young people. By giving the gift of their friendship, each and every one of …
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Couples for Kids and Fifty and Better programs offer new ways to give the gift of friendship.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri is introducing two new ways to become involved in the life of a child. The Couples for Kids and Fifty and Better programs work to create valuable partnerships with those who might not otherwise imagine themselves fitting into the traditional mentoring model. Couples for Kids encourages married couples to enrich their lives by spending time together while giving a child the gift of friendship. The program pairs couples with a child in a unique friendship that can help to broaden the life of a child and provide much needed guidance and support. Couples bring added value in their ability to demonstrate a caring, stable marriage firsthand. This model also provides built-in flexibility by allowing …
