Wordless Wednesday: Holiday Party 2012

BIG thank you to John Deere WomenREACH for hosting this party for the second year in a row!  Everyone had a great time participating in holiday crafts, cookie decorating and "Minute to Win It" games!

November Matches and December Anniversaries

Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to WELCOME the following new matches made in November:

Kelly Brown and Colton
Karen Bushanam and Riley
Laura Cross and Keeasia
Margaret Delaney and Kamarion
Stephanie Ehlers and Serenity
Blakely Gardner and Nadine
Jenny Hagarty and Sarah
Eric Johnson and Mondre
Paul Moorhead and Dante
Brian Pins and William
Emily Rogers and Jamilei
Marcie Sharp and Jazmyn
Ashley Shaw and Trevor
Lydia Sink and Madison


CONGRATS to the following matches reaching their anniversary during the month of December:

One Year:
Nanette Kane and Mo'randa
Todd Kerr and Ben
Hannah Laucamp and Seara

Three Years:
Molly Bolt and Baylee
Ruth Schluter and Emily

Four Years:
Carol Houk and Trinity
Sean Hylton and DeQuonterio

Six Years:
David Buck and Malik

Wordless Wednesday: Halloween Party 2012

Halloween Party 2012 Featuring:

Costume Contest

Pumpkin Bowling

Mystery Boxes

Marshmallow Roasting

Pop the Pumpkin

Trick-or-Treating the Trails

 

 

Pumpkin Bowling

Mystery Boxes

Costume Contest Winner, Aliyah

Congrats Aliyah!

*Thank you to Bill Dix Farms for the pumpkin donation*

 

October Matches and November Anniversaries

Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to WELCOME the following new matches made in October:

Brain Crow and Connor
Matt Ray and Kadyn
Sydni Fenner and Annie
Carol Hoffman and Matt
Julie Wilharm and Hailey
Matt Buzynski and Mikael
Bob Quinlan and Sam
Jesse Knight and Tucker


CONGRATS to the following matches reaching their anniversary during the month of November:

One Year:
Darwin Boelts and James
Justin Tolan and Zion
Emily Brodie and Annabelle
Caitlin Bielenberg and Kylee
Amy Grell and Hailey
Kirstin Knobloch and Cassandra
Morgan Gascho and Heaven
Lisa Frank and Elizabeth
Kasey Balvanz and Makayla
Jake Hommer and Tayvon
Tom Taiber and Caleb
Candace Roberts Saphire
Robin Evans and Courtney
Wyatt Musch and Myles
Karelyn Pohl and Alyssa
Chelsea Marzen and Aubrey
Sam Castro and Angel
Cory Berkenes and Grant
Grace Rogers and Chalea

Two Years:
Sara Spevacek and Nina
Steve Dilger and Keagan
Vern Byl and Michael

Three Years:
Justin Jackson and Kaleb
Mackenzie Drees and Dameesha
Mary Nadeau and Johnathon

Four Years:
Barb Dahlby and Bryndle
Dave Vandeventer and Aaron
Margo Nicholas and Tierra

Five Years:
Linda Williams and Miranda
Ruth Mick and Jayden
Mary Ann Hinders and Veronica

Six Years:
Dewitt Jones and Todd

Seven Years:
Deborah Burger and Breanna
Erick Mandt and Tom

September Matches and October Anniversaries

Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to WELCOME the following new matches made in September:

Kelsie Friichtenicht and Diamond


CONGRATS to the following matches reaching their anniversary during the month of October:

One Year:
Jessica Gravert and Justys
Courtney Bauer and Jachise
Matthew Samec and Shawntez
Steve Schmitt and Quinton
Lorrie Kingen and Serina
Dan Daly and Jake
Jerrilu Leach and Briana
Joey Boyer and Tyrell
Carly Russell and Nevaeh
Jordan Richards and Colin
Gideon Cox and Austin
Sharon Wedeking and Daniyah
Dewitt Jones and Jaden
Matt Brady and Blake

Three Years:
Andrea Blanchard and Lakyah
Brad Stroh and Chandrique

Four Years:
Bob Claassen and Antonio

Six Years:
Frank Thompson and Ashanti
John Mardis and Mitchell

Seven Years:
Thomas Peterson and Daejon
Sherry Etringer and Tru
Joanne Koweil and Quaynisha

Fall Activities for You and your Little

Fall is here and for some of you this may be a time of transition of how you and your Little will spend your time together.  The summer months are gone but we have you covered on what to do during the autumn months.  We've collected a few ideas below to get you started. 
Post your comments below if you would like to add to the list!


How will you spend your time?
Visit a pumpkin patch
Pick apples at an apple orchard
Rake leaves for someone in need
Attend your Little's fall sporting events and other school activities
Attend a high school or college sporting event
Design a Halloween costume and get ready for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Halloween Party!
Visit the library
Visit local museums during the cold and rainy days
Check out board games from the Resource Room
Carve or paint pumpkins
Create "thankful leaves" and list what you are thankful for this year
Purchase a Cedar Falls Rec pass at the Waterloo BBBS office and stay active
For those Waverly matches - visit the W and stay fit through fall
Window shop
Watch football
Go hiking at Hartman Reserve
Pop some popcorn and watch a movie
Build mountains out of leaves and kick away
Visit Family Fun for craft ideas - http://familyfun.go.com/
Go for a bike ride
Start making homemade Christmas gifts
Leaf Sketching - put a leaf under paper and use a crayon to create a leaf sketch
Tour a college campus
Visit the Humane Society
Make a bird feeder
Play "I SPY" using fall items
Create stories using fall words
Make slime/goo by mixing equal parts of liquid starch and glue
Make Apple Cider

 

Visit the Resource Room to find the following items for fall:

Paint & brushes

Model airplanes & cars

Board games

Movies

Crayons & markers

Construction paper

Picture frames

Puzzles

Foam door hangers

Soccer balls

Footballs

Kickballs

Frisbee

Tennis rackets

Craft Lace

 

Match Spotlight: Abbie and Bobbie

Abbie and Bobbie have been matched since May 18, 2011.  Bobbie’s parents are divorced and they were looking for a person outside of the family that Bobbie could talk to and spend time with.  Abbie and Bobbie became friends right away and have been meeting each other every two weeks since their match began.

Bobbie's mother has been very pleased with how this match has been going throughout the year and says,  “I think Abbie was molded especially for Bobbie.  They are perfect together.  Abbie finds unique and fun activities for the two of them to experience.  They have recently been to the petting zoo, the farmers market, and to a farm to pick fresh fruits and veggies from the garden.  Bobbie looks forward to the time she gets to spend with Abbie.”

When asked what her thoughts are on having a Big Sister, Bobbie stated, "I always has fun with Abbie and we do all sorts of fun and new things together;  going to the petting zoo, the circus, the corn maze, or just going to Abbie's home and cooking things like chocolate covered bananas." 

Abbie shared, “participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters has been such a valuable and rewarding experience.  As much as I am a role model for Bobbie, she is a role model for me and reminds me each time we meet what it's like to be a kid again.  I am the youngest in my family, so being a "Big" to Bobbie is really like being a Big Sister!”

August Matches and September Anniversaries

Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to WELCOME the following new matches made in August:

Stacey Howes and Olivia
Matt Kiser and Jared



CONGRATS to the following matches reaching their anniversary during the month of September:

One Year
Ashley Coleman and Lacey
Kayla Ross and Montana
Scott Kinter and Ivan
Monica Severson and Amity
Charlie Metcalf and Kaiden

Two Years
Kathleen Sallee and Dysis
Jarred Herring and Keiyon
Amie Steffen and Haley

Three Years
Brittany Phillips and Emily
Laurie Everhardt and Azaria

Four Years
Morgan Gaffney and Tyrna
Lorelei Tack and Cristina
James Grandon and Damarius

Seven Years
Amy Hunzleman and Craig
Carol Houk and Brieanna

SAVE THE DATE

SPOOKS & SPOKES WILL RETURN ON

OCTOBER 13, 2012

Learn More >

July Matches and August Anniversaries

Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to WELCOME the following new matches made in July:

Katie Langan and Jessa
Chelsi Baker and Cally
Charles Shumaker, Amanda Higgins and Kyan
Ted Mikels and Cameron


CONGRATS to the following matches reaching their anniversary during the month of August:

One Year:
Michael Pigman and Logan
Ryan Daniels and Terez
Gina Nauman and Georgiana
Ben Delagardelle and Daniel
Matthew Kohls and Kendall

Two Years:
Ben Jones and Darrin

Three Years:
Pam Taylor and DaQuevian
Judy Hoodjer and Credance

Six Years:
Carole Morden and Delaney
Sherry Brown and Shannon

Match Spotlight: Charlie and Kaiden

                Kaiden came to Big Brothers Big Sisters in need of a positive influence and someone to spend one-to-one time with.  Kaiden was hoping to find someone who liked to do the same things as he did, and his mom was looking forward to giving him the opportunity to have a male role model.  Kaiden did not have this in his life, as he was living with his mom and older sister.  He never had the opportunity to spend time with his father, as his father was not willing to be involved in his life.

                Kaiden was matched with his Big Brother, Charlie, in September of last year.  Their common interests of being outdoors and staying active allowed for a bond to be created immediately.  Charlie attended Kaiden’s soccer games and watched his football practices, which was a huge deal for Kaiden since he never had a male in his life to watch and support him before.  Many of their activities consist of playing catch or shooting baskets, which Kaiden loves because "his mom isn’t that good at it."

                Charlie has enjoyed being Kaiden’s Big Brother for a few different reasons. “We have a lot of fun together and hanging out with Kaiden kind of makes me feel like a kid again.  It is great that I can be positively impacting a child while having this much fun,” says Charlie.

                Kaiden’s mom also feels that the two of them make a great match. “Charlie has impacted Kaiden in an extremely positive way!  Kaiden is so proud to have Charlie as his Big Brother.  Charlie has taught Kaiden what a good male role model is."

                Being involved in the program has given Kaiden a boost in his self-confidence, an opportunity to learn how to respect others and more happiness in his life.  Kaiden said, “I like spending time with Charlie because we have a lot of fun together and he is really nice to me.”

                Charlie and Kaiden have developed a friendship over the past nine months that will forever change their lives for the better.  Charlie, Kaiden and his mom are all looking forward to what the future of their relationship will bring.  Kaiden’s mom summed it up perfectly stating, “Getting a Big was truly a blessing for our family.”

June Matches and July Anniversaries

Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to WELCOME the following new matches made in June:

Brianna Matthias and Starr
Amber Smit and Mylee
Sarah Sand and Vaneia
Lindsey Petersen and Zoe
Lindsey McCoy and Sierra
Jason Dunbar and Billy
McKenzie Bruch and Haylee
Irina Moye and Dauje
Dana McDougall and De'Vontay
Adam Eich and Martez


CONGRATS to the following matches reaching their anniversary in the month of July:

One Year:
Danielle Pettit-Majewski and Mikki
Dan Hatala and Rylee
Chris Noland and John
Meghan Foley and Kennedi

Two Years:
Cassy Moorhead and Katahvia

Three Years:
Jim Brown and DeAngelo
Linda Bergmann and Hannah

Four Years:
Shari Anderson and Chelsey
Michelle Temeyer and Dahzhanel

We Need You!

Do you, your spouse, or someone you know like planning events? Want to make a difference in the lives of Cedar Valley youth?

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa is looking for committee members to help coordinate successful special events, so we can provide children with life-changing one-to-one relationships.

Please see the following description of our events and what our committees will accomplish. If you or anyone you know may be interested in joining our team, please contact the BBBS office at 235-9397 or maria@iowabigs.org.

Thank you for all you do to change how children in our community grow!

May Matches and June Anniversaries

Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to WELCOME the following new matches made in May:

Alyssa Bodecker and Maddy


CONGRATS to the following matches reaching their anniversary in the month of June:

One Year:
Elizabeth Penhollow and Kalena
Erin Meeker and Aliyah
Jonathan Wangler and Kelondis
Jake Oeth and Kevin
Jesse Gavin and Jacob

Two Years:
Dave Kane and Elliott

Three Years:
Christy and Dietrich Tice and Joseph
Karen Bushanam and Cierra
Bret Culpepper and Anthony

School's Out for Summer!

Another school year has come and gone and Big Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa would like to thank all the Big Brothers, Sisters and School Staff who made this year a great success.  Without you, we would not have been able to serve 120 children in our School Based program this year.  We wish everyone a safe and relaxing summer and look forward to next year.

To help sum up the year, we'll leave you with a note one of our Littles wrote to his Big Brother:

"Thank you for being my mentor for the past many years.  I don't like when summer comes because I like seeing you every week.  You have no idea how much it means to me that you still come see me and I would like you to come next year too." 

We hope to see you all again next year!

Wordless Wednesday: Let's Sew!

The May Exploration Series activity took place at the Cedar Falls Sewing Center.  Littles experienced first hand how to iron fabric, thread and use a sewing machine and operate an embroidery machine.  The end result was a personalized pillowcase! 

Thank you Cedar Falls Sewing Center!

**Big Brothers Big Sisters Exploration Series is driven by four main components:

Career Exploration

Community Service

Diversity

Healthy Choices

 Exploration Series activities are designed to promote "fun with a purpose"