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“Spring It On” is Buffalo Niagara’s Day of Giving, powered by United Way. This 24-hour online fundraising event, held on Friday, March 1, 2013, encourages individuals in the community to make a one-time, secure, online donation to the local not-for-profit agency of their choice. United Way is implementing this event in the Buffalo Niagara region in order to generate even more resources for nonprofits apart from the annual United Way campaign. You can help us raise the funds necessary to move 200 children from our waiting list to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister. Don’t forget to Spring It On and donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County on March 1st by visiting: fundraise.springiton.org/bbbsec

Come join the BBBSEC Big Mirror Committee as they host a second Big Mixer on Thursday, January 31st from 6pm-9pm at Mes Que. Guests can enjoy food and drinks while chatting with current Big Brothers and Big Sisters and will even have the opportunity to sign up to become a mentor. More information provided in our invitation which you can see here.   

Throughout the year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County (BBBSEC) sees evidence of the positive impact our mentors have on their Littles. With the holidays upon us, there are even more opportunities for our Bigs and Littles to give back together as a team. This year, one match in particular really exhibited the holiday spirit along with precisely what BBBSEC hopes to achieve: Little Brothers and Little Sisters that “pay it forward” and give back to the community themselves. Big Sister Sandy and her Little Sister, Lexington, have been matched for approximately 7 months in our Transforming Buffalo Through Mentoring and Education program- an enhancement to our traditional Community Based Program with an increased focus on academic outcomes for our Littles. In October of…

To kick off the holiday season, employees from Lawley Insurance decided to give back in a very special way: with their time. Lawley hosted 10 of our Little Brothers and Little Sisters at the Buffalo Club where they spent a few hours bowling. Following the games, Littles enjoyed some dinner and finished the evening by frosting holiday cookies with their new friends. Thank you to everyone that made the evening so memorable and we hope to see you again next year!

In a joint program with Hasek’s Heroes (a program that provides a monthly skating and educational activity for kids and volunteers), a group of staff members from the Buffalo Sabres gave back in a BIG way by hitting the ice with some of the children that are currently waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister. For many of the children participating, this was their first time on ice skates!  The Sabres staff helped kids get laced up, out on the ice and spent the evening learning a few moves and having a good time. Following the ice time with their Sabres Staff buddy, the kids enjoyed a pizza party and games. Great time had by all!

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.