A Surprise Set of New Wheels!

A group of Little Brothers and Littles Sisters were surprised with new bikes from Invitrogen Life Technologies located on Grand Island. The donation was part of Global Volunteer Week. During this week, Life Technologies companies in all regions select projects in an effort to impact the community. We were delighted to be one of the many projects completed during the week by local Life Technologies employees. In advance, the height of each child was sent to the company so they could purchase bike-building kits and employee teams assembled each bike! Our Littles, along with their Bigs, visited Life Technologies to receive their new set of wheels. For several of the children, this was their first bike! Following the bike presentation, the group received a behind…

Big and Little Books & Breakfast

Bank of America presented a $16,000 check at the Books & Breakfast event on Saturday, May 14th for our Bigs & Littles. The funds donated by Bank of America will provide more children the opportunity to be matched with a mentor through BBBSEC’s Community Based Mentoring (CBM) program. In addition to the funds donated, a team of twelve Bank of America employees distributed books collected during a drive held in April and early May to our Littles. The group also volunteered to serve breakfast and help with activities. Over 50 Big Brothers Big Sisters matches enjoyed the pancake breakfast, and book donation. Additionally, tips and tidbits of information about healthy breakfast choices were on each table. The children completed a puzzle based on this information…

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…

Roller Skating Fun for our Bigs & Littles

Our Bigs & Littles enjoyed a fun night of roller skating to some cool tunes at Depew Skating Center. Some of our Bigs & Littles were seasoned skaters, while several put on skates or roller blades for the first time ever! It was wonderful to see our matches work together to help those new to skating make it around the rink. In some cases, our Littles were a BIG help in keeping their Bigs staying upright! Of course, there were a few fancy skating moves, a few spills and lots of laughs! All would agree it was a great night full of fun and memories!

Thank Your Mentor Day

Over 50 Big Brothers and Big Sisters and their Littles celebrated National Thank Your Mentor Day at a dinner, craft and activity night held at the Niagara Frontier American Legion Post. As matches arrived, they had their photos taken and printed. The pictures were then put into frames that our Little Brothers and Sisters created that night as a thank you gift for their mentor. Additionally, our matches enjoyed a terrific dinner by Mr. G’s catering and playing games. Again, a special thanks to all of our Bigs for making a difference and helping the kids in our program reach their full potential!

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…

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Mentoring Matters

As part of National Mentoring Month, First Niagara announced Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County as one of eleven Western New York area organizations selected as grant recipients of First Niagara’s fourth annual Mentoring Matters program. During a news conference held at Enterprise Charter School, a total of $150,000 was awarded to support organized mentoring efforts in the Western New York community. The funds received by Big Brothers Big Sisters will support matches like Little Sister Maggie and her Big Sister Cymantha at the Site-Based Mentoring program at Enterprise Charter School. Little Sister Maggie shared, “It’s nice have a special friend that’s mine. She likes to be creative like me and I can talk to her about school, my baby brother or anything that…

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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…

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January is National Mentoring Month

As part of National Mentoring Month, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County will kick-off an effort on Monday, January 10th to find 50 Guys in 5 Days to sign up as new Big Brother mentors through a promotion with WGR-550 AM and Santora’s Pizza Pub & Grill.  WGR-550 morning show personality and Big Brother Jeremy White, in a number of live and taped radio ads from January 10th – January 14th, will encourage male listeners to “join the team” by visiting the Big Brothers Big Sisters website and signing up. Additionally, during the 5-day effort, WGR-550 will break from their usual sports format on Wednesday, January 12th from 7 PM – 9 PM for a special live show hosted by Jeremy White at Santora’s…