BBBSLC Newsletter
BIG Spring Newsletter 2018
Office contact information
18 William St. E. Smiths Falls, ON K7A 1C2
613-283-0570
www.bigbrothersbigsisterslanark.ca
This is the Impact of What YOU do….
Name of child has been changed.
In August of 2017, tragedy struck one of the Big Brothers Big Sisters families. The eldest of a four child family who had been previously served by our programs died suddenly in a car accident. The following morning was quiet and humbling in the office. It’s so hard to know what to do no matter how many years of combined practice we share. None the less, we mobilized quickly to ensure the family’s needs were met and appropriate referrals for support were made. One of the four children of this family had never been served by us and he did not, like his siblings, have a “big” to count on in this turbulent time. He quickly became the child we worried about most. In fact, he’d been on the waitlist for a traditional big since February of 2013, back when he was only 9 years old.
A true stroke of luck came upon us and this family just when we needed one. A traditional big, a newcomer to the Perth area who was young, hip, had just bought a house and was looking for a meaningful commitment strolled through our doors and said: “ I want to be a big in Perth. I’m ready to take on a commitment and help in any way that I can.” Fast forward to March 29th, 2018 when service delivery staff received a selfie via text of a beaming little sitting by his new Big at the Sens game we sent them to and it’s enough to make you tear up, recognize that impact sometimes goes beyond what we can measure, and a certain reminder of why we do what we do.
Marriner Scholarship Opportunity
Submitted by Natalie Downing, Mentoring Coordinator
We are now accepting letters of request for the Randy Marriner Memorial Bursary Fund, to be awarded to one or two children that are or have been served by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County. The candidate must be accepted into a post-secondary program beginning in the Fall of 2018. Each student selected will be awarded a Bursary of between $500 and $1000. Letters of Request for the Bursary are to be submitted to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County by May 31st, 2018.
3M Golf for the Kids – Sign up to play or Sponsor Now!
Submitted by Beth Sinclair, Resource Development Manager
Our very popular golf tournament will be May 26th at Mapleview in Perth. We fill up quickly so don’t be disappointed and register now to play! Visit our website at www.bigbrothersbigsisterslanark.ca for the form or call our office for more information.
With our Thanks…
Submitted by Beth Sinclair, Resource Development Manager
A BIG Thank you to all the businesses, municipalities, service clubs and individuals who have already invested in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County through financial contributions in 2018.
We are so grateful for all of those who support us yearly or monthly, allowing us to depend on gifts of over $700 a month, or give to us through United Way Payroll deductions, or donate periodically. It was with these donations that we were able to provide 655 children in Lanark County with meaningful mentor relationships in 2017. THANK YOU!
Legacy giving is a great way to help a loved one’s legacy continue after their passing. Whether you include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County in your will or Life Insurance policy or if you give a memorial donation in honour of a loved one, local children’s lives can be changed due to your generosity.
Third Party Events are a great way to have fun as a group, workplace, or organization and it also helps Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County. Thank you to the groups who have done Third Party Events on behalf of BBBSLC. What creative third party event would you like to host this year – Golf Tournament, Dress Down Day, BBQ, Bake Sale, Darts Night, etc…?
Calling All Volunteers!
We need some help….
We are in quick need of more volunteer at our Jewels store in Smiths Falls. If you can spare a few hours a week, would you please contact Beth Sinclair at beth.sinclair@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca?
Follow Us and Stay Informed!
Submitted by Jon Valentin, Your Former Social Media Coordinator J
www.facebook.com/bigbrothersbigsisterslanark
WAK (We Are Kids!) – Youth Program in Smiths Falls
Submitted by Bridget Manahan, Manager of Youth Services
This program is a partnership between Big Brothers Big Sister of Lanark County, YAK Youth Services and the Town of Smiths Falls. This is a FREE program for all youth aged 12 to 18 in Smiths Falls and Area. The program runs 4 nights a week out of the hall in the Youth Arena. We offer a wide range of activities with a focus on physical activity, positive mental health and a healthy snack daily.
We have many community partners that help support this program. The Table Community Food Centre runs a teens in the kitchen program every second Tuesday and Lanark County Community Justice runs their Be Strong program on the other Tuesdays. We can be found on both Facebook and Instagram by looking up WAK Youth Program. If you would like to get involved with the program, please get in touch with our Manager of Youth Services by emailing
bridget.manahan@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca
Tim Hortons Bowl for Kids Sake Success!
Submitted by Beth Sinclair, Resource Development Manager
Thank you for helping us to raise over $90,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County through this year’s Tim Hortons Bowl for Kids Sake. A BIG Thank You to all the sponsors who donated so that all the money you raised would go directly to mentoring. Please support our sponsors as they support us:
