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It’s National Mentoring Month!

We are so excited to celebrate National Mentoring Month(NMM) with all of our Bigs & supporters and look forward to encouraging others to get involved!  A special thank you to our NMM Media Sponsor, WGRZ-TV 2 for creating and airing a PSA encouraging the community to get involved.  To learn more about the opportunities during NMM and your options to help make a BIG difference in the life of a child click here!

Latest Big News with 2013 Financial Report

Friends, we hope you will enjoy our latest Special Edition of the Big News containing our 2013 Financial Report.[ddownload id=”3740″] Also featured are updates on this year’s fundraising events, information about new partnerships and a list of our matches reaching anniversary milestones in their friendships. This edition’s cover photo & match highlight shares the special friendship between Big Sister Kayleigh and Little Sister Crystal. Big Sister Kayleigh shared,“Becoming a Big, you not only have the opportunity to change a child’s life, but watch them change yours. I have grown so much as a person in the last 3 years and a lot of that has to do with Crystal.”

#GivingTuesday- National Movement to Make a Local Difference!

We hope you will consider a donation to our The BIG Give Challenge on #GivingTuesday, December 2nd, and help to match 15 local children with new mentors. You can either donate to our agency page or select from one of our Bigs or supporters personal pages that includes photos & stories.  New this year-  donate $25 and you will receive a beautiful BBBSEC Snowflake Ornament!  Be sure to let your friends know that you have donated through The BIG Give Challenge by using #GivingTuesday on Facebook or Twitter!

A Note on Sharing the Art of Friendship!

We are excited to announce that five of the beautiful Art of Friendship pieces, created by are Bigs & Littles, are now available as note cards!  This wonderful project was sponsored by the Philanthropic Committee at Ingram Micro.  A BIG thank you for their support of our Bigs & Littles expressing themselves creatively and for sponsoring this unique project!   You can have a note card set of your very own for a $5.00 donation to BBBSEC.  With the inside blank, they make wonderful all occasion cards!  You can learn more about getting a set of your very own by clicking here.  We are also looking for opportunities to “set up shop” at local companies and events. Additionally, the cards make a great added bonus…

Mentoring Matters!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County was one of nine local organizations recently awarded a Mentoring Matters grant through the First Niagara Foundation. The awards were announced during a ceremony at the First Niagara Center on October 3rd that included First Niagara executives, local officials and Buffalo Sabres Coach, Ted Nolan. First Niagara employee and BBBSEC Big Sister, Patty Szwed, shared her positive experience as a mentor to her 11 year old Little Sister Reina during the event. The two will be matched for one-year at the end of October! Launched in 2007 by First Niagara, Mentoring Matters supports programs that help children improve their grades and school attendance, enhance their self-esteem, avoid the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and have a better opportunity…

And the UB Fan Favorite Is…

A BIG thanks to all of the UB Football fans that stopped by our table today to participate in the Best College Football Movie vote.  And the UB Fan Favorite College Football Movie is…The Blind Side! Congrats to Laureen Mislan winner of the movie package and certificate good for a future UB Bulls Football Game. Thanks again for participating!  Please visit the other pages of our website to learn more about how we are providing volunteer mentors to help children facing adversity succeed. 

Latest Edition of The Big News Print Edition

The latest The Big News– Print Edition is now available for Download.  Readers will enjoy a note from our CEO, information about recent Big & Little match events and updates on agency fundraisers that help to make our work possible.  Additionally, we have a list of all of our Bigs & Littles that celebrated Match Anniversaries between January 2014 – June 2014 including over 20 matches that have been together 5+ years.  Lastly, this edition’s Match Highlight features Big Brothers Sean Myers and Little Brother Conyai.  The two have been matched since July of 2012 and have an incredible friendship. Read all about it by downloading now!  [wpdm_file id=10]  

Summer with Young Audiences of Western New York

Young Audiences of Western New York will once again be hosting regular summer shows and activities at Canalside and Old Falls again this summer! Every Wednesday 11am and 12pm at Canalside July 2nd through August 27th (44 Prime Street Buffalo, NY 14202) Every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 12pm and 1pm July 2nd-August 23rd (Old Falls Street Niagara Falls 14303)   Dynamic and educational summer experiences that explore Western New York’s history with local artists in dance, spoken word, music, theatre, and visual arts. Families and children will see and learn from Western New York artists, and interact with artists during hands-on programming. Check out Young Audiences’ Public Programs page for more details!

Women Who Move The City Awardees Announced

On Thursday, April 10th, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County (BBBSEC) will host “Women Who Move the City” at Pearl @ The Webb.  This new fundraising event will celebrate BBBSEC’s female volunteers, as well as, women who volunteer throughout WNY. Five local women, selected through a nomination process, will be honored during the evening for their outstanding commitment to our community.  The 2014 Women Who Move the City awardees to be recognized at the April 10th event are: Mary Lynn Barnhard– Wheels with Wings Foundation Lindsay Brick-Junior League of Buffalo, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of WNY, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities of WNY Sheila Figel- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Women’s Association Kathleen Maxian- Western New York Ovarian…

Family Days at Healthy Zone Fieldhouse Orchard Park

Get out and Play at Family Days at the Healthy Zone Fieldhouse We are pleased to offer a unique opportunity to participate in an afternoon filled with fun and healthy activities at the home of the Buffalo Bills. We’ll have something fun for all ages, so bring the kids! There are lots of interactive games to play and drills to run on the turf. Have your picture taken with the one and only Billy Buffalo. And don’t forget to stop by our Healthy Zone Cruiser for even more healthy activities! Register today! Space is limited for each date; if your first choice is full, please join us on another date. Every participant must bring a ticket and waiver to the event. The ticket and waiver…