The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Big Brothers Big Sisters celebrates anniversary
Despite the rain, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County kicked off their 25th anniversary celebrations Aug. 15 with a back-to-school ice cream social at Lakeview Park, 1800 West Erie Ave. in Lorain.
“Bigs,” “littles,” mentors and alumni attended the annual event, which featured music, ice cream, games, raffles and birthday cakes.
Backpacks and school supplies also were given to participants in the program who attended.
“We have a lot to celebrate this year: our volunteers, children, alumni, donors and all of those who have helped make 25 years possible,” said Marcus Madison, community engagement officer for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
The Lorain County chapter was conceived in 1994, incorporated in 1995 and the first “big” and “little” match in 1996, first started by the Leadership Lorain County Class of 1994, Madison said.
Since then, the chapter has won five awards, including the Annie E. Casey,
Pillsbury and 2000 pennant award, the Big Sister of the Year and Top All-Around Performer for 2006.
The chapter served 326 children last year, with 145 in the community-based and 181 in the school-based programs.
In total, the chapter has impacted over 6,000 children
in Lorain County.
Children ages 8 through 18 are paired with adult volunteers for one-on-one mentoring, Madison said.
“The need for children in Lorain County to have a role model is more urgent than ever,” said Giovana Kallas, vice president of the chapter’s programs and operations.
“Our organization has 25 years of experience working with volunteers and children in Lorain County to deliver our one-to-one mentoring services.”
Monica Vay, 38, of Avon, attended the event with her “little,” who she matched with in May.
Vay said they were having a blast within the first 20 minutes of the ice cream social.
“It’s been really great,” she said of the event. “We’ve had a lot of fun together and get to do a lot of great things and get to know each other.”