We recently received a grant through the Kelly for Kids Foundation. Founded by former Buffalo Bills Quarterback Jim Kelly, the foundation helps to improve the quality of life for disabled and disadvantaged children in Western New York. The grant will support our Site-Based Mentoring program that pairs youth with a Big Brother or Big Sister to share a friendship and participate in educational, recreational and cultural activities at a local school or community center. During the grant presentation Mr. Kelly mentioned the importance a special friend and mentor can have in a child’s life. He also recognized Kelly for Kids Foundation employee Patricia Cavalier for serving as a volunteer Big Sister. Big Brothers Big Sisters extends its gratitude to Jim Kelly and the Kelly for Kids Foundation for their generosity.
Similar Posts
Big & Little Give Back
Throughout the year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County (BBBSEC) sees evidence of the positive impact our mentors have on their Littles. With the holidays upon us, there are even more opportunities for our Bigs and Littles to give back together as a team. This year, one match in particular really exhibited the holiday spirit along with precisely what BBBSEC hopes to achieve: Little Brothers and Little Sisters that “pay it forward” and give back to the community themselves. Big Sister Sandy and her Little Sister, Lexington, have been matched for approximately 7 months in our Transforming Buffalo Through Mentoring and Education program- an enhancement to our traditional Community Based Program with an increased focus on academic outcomes for our Littles. In October of…
New Wheels For Summer
A fun summer is ahead for the six Little Brothers and Little Sisters in our program who received brand new bikes on Friday. The bike build and donation was one of several projects completed on Global Volunteer Day by employees of Life Technologies Corporation located on Grand Island. Similar projects were happening at Life Technologies offices across the globe! This is the 4th year that Littles involved in BBBSEC received brand new bikes. The donation was a complete surprise to the Littles. They arrived with their Bigs at Life Technologies thinking they were going to have a tour and learn a bit more about the company. Instead, a new set of wheels awaited them. There were lots of smiles and happy kids! A BIG thanks…
Food & Friendship
Wegmans Food Markets sponsored 10 matches from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County for a healthy eating/cooking workshop titled “Food & Friendship” at the Sheridan Drive location in Williamsville. The goal of the workshop was to spread the “Eat Well. Live Well.” message in a fun and interactive class. Taught by a trained Wegmans staff member, the workshop was a hands-on experience for the Little Brothers and Little Sisters, ages 6-10, and their mentors. The 90-minute session included a tour of the produce section, trying new fruits and making recipes that could be duplicated in future outings between the child and their Big Brother or Big Sister mentor. The matches enjoyed helping in food preparation of simple recipes and learning about making healthier food…
BBBS teams up with Kohl’s for a “Go Green Project”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County (BBBSEC) teamed up with the five local Kohl’s Department Stores for Kohl’s National Go Green Event (NGG) in celebration of National Volunteer Week and Earth Day. On Sunday, May 1st, more than 40 Kohl’s associates participated in a one-day volunteer project at The Belle Center located on Buffalo’s Lower West Side. The Kohl’s associates spread soil, planted bushes and flowers at the center. Several BBBS staff and a Big Brother & Little Brother match joined the effort. Following their hard work, the group enjoyed lunch and the opportunity to view the changes they made to the outside appearance of the center. A grant will be awarded to BBBSEC’s Site-Based Mentoring Program located at The Belle Center in recognition…
Women Who Move the City Wednesday- Congrats Carmaletta Zandi!
BBBS of Erie County and Media Sponsor Kiss 98.5 & Janet Snyder are excited to celebrate Carmaletta Zandi as today’s Women Who Move the City Wednesday Honoree! Carmaletta has dedicated over fourteen years to the community as the Founder of the Morlock Foundation, Inc. The foundation’s mission is to improve quality of life, specifically focusing on those suffering from traumatic experiences. Services provided by the office located in Buffalo include a food pantry, work with foster children who have aged out of the system, support for foster parents and lastly, Save the Family, a program that offers support to families that suffer from the traumas that come with disease or disability. The foundation, which was started with Carmaletta’s funds, is a completely volunteer and donation-based organization. While she is in…
Celebrating National Mentoring Month 2025: Make a Big Difference by Being a Big
January is National Mentoring Month—a time to celebrate the transformative power of mentorship and inspire action. Help us address the urgent need for Bigs in our community.
