News & Stories

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.

Every year, the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County holds a “Day of Caring” when corporate partners pick a project from a United Way affiliate and volunteer with that organization for one day. On Wednesday, August 15th employees from Ernst & Young joined BBBSEC and volunteered as a “Big for a Day”. Each employee was paired up with one child (their “Little”) who is currently enrolled with BBBSEC and waiting for their own Big Brother or Big Sister. Throughout the morning, each match played Beach Bingo, Shoe Scramble, participated in a balloon race and spent their time enjoying the nice weather and each other’s company. Bigs and Littles were even able to create beaded friendship bracelets and exchanged them at the end of the…

On June 19th, 2012, BBBSEC held it’s largest annual Summer Picnic (ever!) for all of our Bigs and Littles. This year, the backyard of Harlem Rd. Community Center was transformed in to a “Field Day” for Bigs and Littles to enjoy the warm weather and spend time playing games. Following a picnic lunch generously provided by Phillips Lytle LLP, matches were able to play football, soccer, Frisbee, run sack races and even join a large game of tug-of-war where over one hundred Bigs and Littles competed against each other! Many thanks to our presenting sponsor, TransitowneUSA for coming out to play football with our Littles and making such a fun day possible.

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…

In conjunction with the celebration of National Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 15th- April 21st), we recognized our volunteer Big Brothers and Big Sisters and Board Members at the “Big Appreciation Mixer”. The party was held at the historic Red Cross Mansion. Over 50 Big Brothers and Big Sisters and theirguests will enjoyed light hors d’oeuvres, desserts and drinks. A special thanks to the sponsors who donated items to make the event possible: Maureen’s Wholesale Florist, Ohlson’s Bakery & Cafe, Romano’s Italian Bakery and Rich Products.

Twenty of our Little Brothers and Little Sisters enjoyed the Buffalo Bills Annual Children’s Holiday Party. The Jim Kelly Club at the stadium was transformed into a winter wonderland with trees, holiday scenes and even a working “Polar Express” train for the kids to ride!  The children also enjoyed having dinner with the Bills and the Jills.  After dinner, Santa arrived bringing each child a bag full of gifts!  A few of our kids were surprised when several of the Bills, working as Santa’s helpers, came riding out to give them their very own new bike! A BIG thanks to the Buffalo Bills players, the Jills, the staff and their families for making this wonderfully generous and memorable event possible.

Just in time for the winter weather, TransitowneUSA representatives presented warm winter hats, gloves and scarves to the children involved in BBBSEC at a pancake breakfast with their mentors on Saturday,December 10th at the Niagara Frontier American Legion Post. TransitowneUSA collected the winter accessories during their “A Little Warmth Makes a BIG Difference” campaign held at all of their locations in November.  TransitowneUSA customers received a gift certificate for a free oil change for bringing in a donation to benefit a child in BBBSEC. In addition to enjoying a delicious breakfast and receiving the winter accessories, each child also made a snowman measuring stick craft to take home and measure the latest snowfall!

BBBBSEC was one of fourteen charities that support children to receive a generous donation of $5,000.00 from Pizza Hut’s Raising Dough for Kids Charity. The “dough” was raised in the local Pizza Hut stores through contributions from their customers in change canisters and various other fundraisers throughout the year. The donation we received will be used to continue our successful Site-Based Mentoring Programs that match Big Brother and Big Sister volunteers with children at the Belle Center and Enterprise Charter School.