Big Brothers Big Sisters of Great Falls

Great Falls - Big Brothers Big Sisters, the largest youth mentoring organization in Cascade County, and Wells Fargo have announced a new joint effort to celebrate National Volunteer Week 2008. 

Well’s Fargo, which has supported Big Brothers Big Sisters in the past by contributing sponsorship funds to BBBS fundraising events to help match children with caring adults, will expand its current support by providing mentors. Four Wells Fargo employees were interviewed last week and began the process of becoming a friend to a child. More employees will soon join their co-workers.  The first matches will be in the site-based mentoring program at the Boys & Girls Club starting this summer.  The matches between mentor and mentee will continue their time together this fall at Longfellow and Wittier Elementary schools.

“We appreciate Wells Fargo’s drive to grow their relationship with Big Brothers Big Sisters and increase support for mentoring,” said Tina Cubbage, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters. “Our organizations share the values of dreaming big, working hard, getting it done, and making a difference in the lives of children.”

On Thursday, April 24, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Great Falls honored BBBS mentors, board members, and agency supporters at the agency’s annual appreciation event. Mayor Dona Stebbins added to the festivities by announcing the 2008 “Bigs of the Year.” These three Bigs were recognized out of over 70 Big Brothers and Big Sisters for their extraordinary work as mentors.

The 2008 “Bigs of the Year” are:
Big Brother of the Year – Paul Hogan is the Metal Fabrication Teacher at CMR High School.  He is also a board member for the Children’s Receiving Home.  Paul and his Little Brother Jack have been matched over 5 years.  Jack describes Paul as “fun, he's patient, helpful and smart.  Paul is also funny and caring.  These are just a few of his great traits.”
Big Sister of the Year – Jodi Schlimgen is a Speech and Language Therapist Assistant for Great Falls Public Schools.  Jodi was matched to her Little Sister Kyanne close to three years ago.  Kyanne nominated Jodi for Big Sister of the Year and told BBBS, “On a scale of 1 to 10 I would put Jodi as a 10 for having fun with.”
Big Volunteer of the Year – Rich Kuka has a private practice as a youth counselor.  Rich previously volunteered on the BBBS Board of Directors, but stepped down in order to be a Big Brother.  He is currently matched with Little Brother Duncan, and has previously volunteered as Big for two other boys.  Rich gives additional support to BBBS by raising funds for Bowl for Kids’ Sake, securing a table at the Select Dinner and Auction, and sharing his testimonial of the program in speaking engagements. 

Also announced at the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner were the 8 finalists for Big Brothers Big Sisters scholarships. High school students Brittney Swingley, Joleen Martinich, Lindsay Hayes, Morgen Oswood, Catherine Mercer, Kelsey Eakle, Miranda Murray, and Andrew Seitz were chosen based on their commitment to the school-based Buddies mentoring program and on a 500 word essay.  Joleen, Morgen, Catherine, and Kelsey each received $500 scholarship to use for college.  There were approximately 100 Big Buddies volunteering in elementary schools over the 2007-08 school year. 

Special Recognition:
Sponsor Pacific Steel & Recycling
Scholarship Sponsor LAABS Construction

National Volunteer Week is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek ways to engage in their community.  It’s about showing the community that we meet our challenges not as isolated individuals but as members of a true community with all of us working together. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters is honoring mentors who volunteer to make a difference in the lives of Great Falls youth in an event to prelude National Volunteer Week.  The Big Brothers Big Sisters Volunteer Appreciation Dinner will be on April 24, 2008 at 6:30pm in the Columbus Theatre, 1601 2nd Ave North.

Mayor Dona Stebbins will announce the Volunteer of the Year, Big Sister of the Year, and Big Brother of the Year at the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.   These three awards will be given to dedicated volunteers who excel in the service they deliver to our community, and have done so for many years. 

National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing an annual celebration of volunteering. Every president since has signed a proclamation promoting the week.

“Volunteers perform countless acts of service including acting as mentors to children,” said Paula Highlander, BBBS Program Manager. “I hope that National Volunteer Week will motivate others to volunteer their time and talent, whether it be mentoring, cleaning our parks, bringing meals to the elderly, or helping out in our schools.”

BBBS Ski Trip:

On March 15 we headed up the mountain in the yellow school bus to go skiing with more than 50 people in the BBBS program. We had children and adults of all ages and different skiing abilities take part in the ski day at Showdown.  It was a nice sunny day and everyone had a great time!  A special thanks to George and the staff at Showdown for making our day a great success.  We look forward to our big trip again next year!!

January Group Outing:
January was National Mentoring Month so we honored our Bigs with a free day at the Children*s Museum, with help from our great sponsor, MSU COT we were able to provide a great event at the Children*s Museum. Thanks to all our Bigs, Littles and Buddies for creating some great art to display at our Art Exhibit! Those that came to the museum that day were able to vote on their favorite piece and our 3rd place winner was Little, Charles for his pirate portrait of Captain Jack Sparrow. 2nd Place went to BB Andy and LB Anthony for their photograph collage of Montana and 1st Place went to BS Joleen and LS Rachel for their creative photo frames. Before going home, we were all able to enjoy cake and juice in honor of our great mentors!