Our BIG Give campaign has officially kicked off! The BIG Give is an online fundraising effort of current Big Brothers and Big Sisters to help raise the funds necessary to move more kids off the waiting list into matches with Bigs of their very own. For every $1,000.00 raised, we can match a new Big & Little together! Visit The BIG Give page to pledge a Big Brother or Big Sister you know or donate to our general BIG Give fund. Thanks!!
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Big Mirror Mixer a Success!
The first mixer hosted by our Big Mirror Initiative Committee at The 2nd Cup Café in downtown Buffalo was a BIG success. Over 50 guests joined us throughout the evening to learn more about our initiative to provide a more diverse pool of mentors to the children in our program. Guests that evening included community members and representatives from several local corporations, political offices and professional organizations. Everyone enjoyed networking with like minded individuals and 9 guests signed up to become Bigs! Currently, 0ver 80% of the children waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister identify themselves as an ethnicity other than Caucasian. The goal of the Big Mirror Initiative is to provide a mentor, if the child wishes, of the same ethnic background.
Mentors Who Move the City Honoree Ryan Taughrin
Ryan Taughrin – Defender of Potential Ryan Taughrin is the Assistant Director of Graduate Enrollment at the University at Buffalo’s College of Arts and Sciences. As a first-generation student who was raised by a single mom, and later adopted by loving parents of his best friend, Ryan tries to live every day working to pay it forward. From mentoring prospective undergraduate and graduate students, serving as a mentor in Big Brothers Big Sisters, to volunteering across Western New York with various non-profits, Ryan’s volunteering and mentoring mantra focuses on servant leadership and listening, more than speaking, whenever possible. Organizations Ryan has volunteered and served in leadership positions include B Team Buffalo, the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, Erie County Youth Board,…
Our First Thanksgiving
This year, our holiday program expanded to include Thanksgiving dinner donations. Several of the children in our program live in families that are at or below the poverty line. Thanks to several generous supporters, we were able to provide 13 of those families with their very own Thanksgiving dinner: turkey, stuffing, potatoes, corn, cranberry sauce, dessert and much more. On behalf of the families who were given a fantastic holiday, “Thank You” to our donors: University at Buffalo student group Circle K, Sandy Looker and her Little Sister Lexington, Elmwood Kiwanis, Beth Marcinkowski & Family, Hilbert Office of Multicultural Affairs, BBBSEC Board Member Hedy Moss and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
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…
Kelly for Kids Supports BBBS
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…
Women Who Move the City Wednesday- Congrats Cheryl Bird!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County is honored to celebrate Cheryl Bird as this week’s featured Women Who Move the City Wednesday (WWMTC) Honoree! Cheryl joined the Daemen College Center for Sustainable Communities and Civic Engagement in 2002 as Seneca Babcock Community Coordinator, was promoted to Director of Community Relations for the CSCCE, and in 2004 was asked to serve as the Executive Director. The CSCCE partners with three disadvantaged Buffalo neighborhoods, Seneca Babcock, the West Side and Broadway Fillmore, to address educational, economic and environmental needs. They sustain long term collaborations with community agencies in the three neighborhoods to benefit the communities, and Daemen faculty and students. The Center’s partner agencies provide service-learning sites for over 200 Daemen students every semester. Cheryl founded, and serves as,…