2009 News Release
____________________________________________________________________
August 18th, 2009
BE A BIG BROTHER and You’ll
Both Catch The Reward!
A Big Brother volunteer is a
caring , responsible adult male . They range in age from college
students to retirees and come from a variety of backgrounds and
walks of life. There are no special skills required – only
a willingness to spend some time with a young person in a friendship
based role developing a meaningful relationship.
The Big Brother program matches
adult men volunteers with a boy aged 5-14 years of age who would
otherwise have limited to no contact with a regular male influence
and who would also benefit by establishing a special relationship
with a friend. The result is an increase in the child’s
self esteem while providing them with a male role model they may
not otherwise have since many of the boys in the program are from
single parent mother headed families. Some Big and Little Brother
matches have continued through the local Big Brother agency until
the youth’s 18th birthday since they both find it such a
rewarding and enjoyable experience. Being a Big Brother keeps
volunteers young at heart, provides an opportunity to make a new
friend, to try new activities, learn new skills and is also a
great addition to a resume all while making a difference in your
community.
Great Care is taken in matching
Big and Little Brothers to ensure that they have similar interests.
Matches spend approximately three hours a week together doing
things that friends do…like talking, playing ball in the
park, watching a movie, sharing in a sport or a hobby. You don’t
have to change your life to be a Big Brother…having a Little
Brother just means you have someone else to share your life with.
Big Brothers provide encouragement, guidance and support. The
agency also offers monthly group activities so that Big and Little
Brothers have the opportunity to meet other matches in our program
and to perhaps try something new!
Studies show that the most important
factor contributing to a child’s future is a positive adult
role model. Mentoring does make a difference, one child at a time.
Big Brothers help boys to develop the skills and behaviour they
need to help them reach their full potential.
Big Brothers of Sarnia-Lambton
currently have 45 boys waiting to be matched. Due to the shortage
of volunteers these children can sometimes wait a year or two
to be matched so volunteers are needed!
For information on becoming a
Big or Little Brother Call Big Brothers at 519-336-0460 or stop
by their office at 193 George Street
Donna Sharpe; Caseworker/Recruitment
Big Brothers of Sarnia-Lambton
10 Lorne Crescent,
Dow Centre for Youth
Sarnia, Ontario
519-336-0460
www.sarniabigbrothers.org
donnas@sarniabigbrothers.org.
____________________________________________________________________
April 16th, 2009
Editor
The Sarnia Observer
140 S. Front Street
Sarnia, Ontario
N7T 7MB.
Dear Editor:
National Volunteer Week is from April 19th to April 25th. It is
a time to thank the many volunteers who contribute their time,
efforts and skills towards so many groups and agencies across
the country as well as locally. Volunteers are a vital contribution
to our community, have a tremendous impact and improve the overall
quality of life for all.
There is always an ongoing need for volunteers in a variety of
roles and the local media has been very instrumental and supportive
in helping increase public awareness of this need within our community.
On behalf of the local `Volunteer Co-ordinators Association’
I would like to take this opportunity to also thank the Observer
for their support and recognition of our volunteers through the
`Our Volunteers ‘ Segment. It is with your help that our
member groups and agencies have been able to inform the public
of available services and volunteer opportunities. To find out
more about available opportunities, the web site for the local
Volunteer Co-ordinators Association is www.volunteersarnia.com
“The Value of One, the Power
of Many”
Sincerely,
Donna Sharpe
Big Brothers of Sarnia-Lambton
& Member of Publicity Committee
Volunteer Co-ordinators Association
____________________________________________________________________
March 31st, 2009
Ever Thought of Becoming a Big Brother…Information
Session Offered
For anyone who is thinking about becoming a Big
Brother or Couples volunteer the Big Brother agency has scheduled
an Information Session at it’s office located at 193 George
Street in Sarnia from 7 :00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April
6th, 2009.
Big Brothers of Sarnia-Lambton currently have
45 boys who are waiting for the male influence and friendship
a Big Brother can provide.
Big Brothers are adult men of stable character
who can share 3-4 hours a week with a boy. This volunteer role
offers great flexibility since outing times can vary each week
to suit your schedule and that of your Little Brother. . Sharing
in activities can be easy by involving your Little Brother in
things that you are already doing or would like to do. The agency
also offers monthly group activities to Big and Little Brothers
where they have the opportunity to meet others.
Being a Big Brother is really simple. Men are
matched with a boy who has similar interests. You’ll have
fun doing things you already know how to do like playing a board
game, cooking a meal, riding a bike, going to a community event,
fishing, The list is endless. Through this volunteer role Big
Brothers can learn new experiences too. For a few hours each week,
Big Brothers can be a kid again and make time for fun. It’s
a great way to take a break for a few hours from a busy life and
focus on the important things like having an impact on a young
person in our community. Being a Big Brother is simply about being
a friend to a Little Brother, but the impact that it can have
on a child is significant.
The Big Brother agency also offers a `Couples
Matching Program for Kids. It’s similar to the Big Brother
Program. The great part about it is that spouses can volunteer
together while bringing friendship into the life of a child.
To contact Big Brothers call 519-336-0460.
Donna Sharpe; Caseworker
Big Brothers of Sarnia-Lambton
Phone: (519) 336-0460 Fax: (519) 336-0477
____________________________________________________________________
March
12, 2009
Be a Big Brother For The Summer!
Ever thought about becoming a
Big Brother, but still “sitting on the fence”, and
not sure about making that step to contact Big Brothers. Well
then, Big Brothers has just the program for you! The agency’s
Summer Program allows interested men or couples to experience
the merits of being a Big Brother or Couple Match for the summer
months of May through to September. There is no obligation to
continue following the summer but those who wish to have the opportunity
to do so.
Being a Big Brother volunteer is a fun and rewarding experience
for child and adult alike. It involves sharing three to four hours
a week with a boy in a mutually enjoyable activity. This could
include but are not limited to fishing, biking, rollarblading,
swimming, or working on a model. Imagine the many community events
throughout the summer and wouldn’t it be nice to include
a Little Brother. Volunteers play an active role in choosing a
Little Brother so they are matched with a boy with similar interests.
Finding time is easy since volunteers can include a Little Brother
in something that they are already doing. Although outings are
weekly, outing times are flexible to suit everyone’s needs!
The agency offers monthly group activities for those who choose
to participate. For many it’s a great opportunity to try
something new and meet new friends!
There is a screening and matching process so those interested
should apply as soon as possible. Matches are made on the basis
of background, interests, on the strengths of the volunteers and
the needs of the child.
There are many boys in Sarnia and Lambton County waiting for that
special friendship a Big Brother or Couple can provide.
For information about becoming a Big Brother or the `Summer Program’
call Big Brothers 519-336-0460.
Contact:
Donna Sharpe; Caseworker/Recruitment
Big Brothers of Sarnia-Lambton
Phone: (519) 336-0460
FAX: (519) 336-0477
donnas@sarniabigbrothers.org
____________________________________________________________________
BIG BROTHER BIG IMPACT!
Almost 12 years ago Glen McFarlane decided to become more involved
in some volunteer work within the community as a transition to
his future retirement years. At that time, with his own children
grown he decided to get involved with Big Brothers and was matched
with Little Brother Jeremy who was age six at the time.
Little Brothers are ages 5-14 years from father-absent homes at
the time of matching but some matches have continued on until
the boys 18th birthday which is the case with Jeremy.
The friendship between this Big and Little Brother has flourished
over the years. Glen has been there to encourage Jeremy in all
his endeavours. Glen has been there for his graduation from elementary
and more recently from secondary school. He has been able to reinforce
the positive values of Jeremy’s family by helping to encourage
him in his scholastic and many volunteer endeavours over the years..
Glen introduced his Little Brother to the game of golf and not
only involved him in hockey but offered his morale support at
his games. Jeremy speaks highly of all of Glen’s family
who have always made him feel very welcome. He describes his friendship
with Glen by saying “ that he is always someone I can count
on”. Glen says that for him it has been a very rewarding
experience and he modestly says that in some way I hope I helped
by offering friendship and being a male influence for his Little
Brother. As for Jeremy and his mother they both can’t say
enough good things about Glen’s involvement and think very
highly of him and his family . For a few hours a week he has had
an incredible impact. Jeremy is off to College this fall and as
he turns 18 his match with Glen will officially come to a close
but it is a long established friendship that will continue for
years to come.
Glen’s advice to anyone thinking about becoming a Big Brother
is Just Do it”. “ I thought about it for a long time
before eventually making the decision but it’s been a good
match and a rewarding friendship”
For information on becoming a Big Brother or information on our
services contact Big Brothers at 519-336-0460 or stop by the office
located at 193 George Street.
For Info Contact
Donna Sharpe
Caseworker/Recruitment
Big Brothers of Sarnia-Lambton
donnas@sarniabigbrothers.org
____________________________________________________________________
September Celebrates Impact
of Mentoring.
For more Details Click Here.
____________________________________________________________________
Title
Sponsor for Climb for Kids,, announced
Info
Session
Summer
Program
Big Brothers
has Big Impact
____________________________________________________________________
2009 Newsletters
February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
May 2009
June 2009
July 2009
August 2009
Sept 2009
November 2009
December 2009
February 2010
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