Build A Bear

Today marks a new day for Big Brothers Big Sisters. We are reimagining our brand, from our look to our language. We are focused on an empowering message: Together, We Are Defenders of Potential. Our new brand is urgent, inclusive, and powerful. We ask people of all ages and backgrounds to step up and ignite potential within every young person. Check out our new look on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter and learn more about our reimagined brand by clicking here. Together, let’s clear a path to a child’s biggest possible future.

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…

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…

Big Brothers Big Sisters is honored to celebrate Alexa Zappia as our first Women Who Move the City Wednesday (WWMTC) Honoree!  Alexa, a native of  Williamsville, is currently a senior at St. John Fisher College in Rochester. In 2009, Alexa faced tragedy when her life mentor, Susan Wehle, suddenly passed away in the Flight 3407 plane crash. Alexa wanted to do something that would make her proud by continuing to touch peoples’ lives as Susan touched hers. How does a 12-year-old grieve such a tragedy? To Alexa, she found her life’s purpose: to volunteer at struggling organizations within the Buffalo community. Since the plane crash, Alexa has accumulated over 3,000 volunteer hours. Alexa has received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for three consecutive years during Barack Obama’s…