Big Brother Wins Award

Congratulations to Adam Standiford for receiving the "Outstanding Emerging Volunteer Award" at the 2012 Mayor's Volunteer Award Ceremony hosted by the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley.

This award recognizes and honors the accomplishments of community individuals ages 19-35.  All nominees have excelled in service contributions.  Adam has done just that, you may recall reading about his match with Little Brother, Justice, here.

Congrats Adam - you deserve it!  We look forward to the years ahead...

UNI Fun Night

Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to send a thank you out to the University of Northern Iowa's Multicultural Teaching Alliance (MTA) for hosting the annual UNI Fun Night for the children on the waiting list.  Thanks to MTA and all the volunteers for a fun filled night at the Wellness and Recreation Center.  The Littles kept busy playing ping pong, swimming, climbing the rock wall, playing racquetball, and basketball.

It is because of groups like MTA that make events like UNI Fun Night possible.  Giving a chance for our Littles to have some fun and experience new opportunities while they wait to be matched with a Big Brother or Sister.

Match Spotlight: Whitney and Raelynn

This month's match spotlight highlights Whitney and Raelynn's match from the perspective of Raelynn's mother:

Big Brothers Big Sisters is an organization that is near and dear to my heart.  As the mother of a Little; Miss Raelynn, I have gotten to watch her grow and step out of her shell over the past couple of years as she and Whitney have become very close friends.  Whitney is able to spend quality one on one time with her doing things both of them enjoy, leaving me with a little time also to have those much needed Mom moments.  Some of the things that Raelynn and Whitney have done together include swimming, movies, playing board games and Wii, attending community events together, such as Christmas on Main and Halloween on Main, and Raelynn's favorite, bowling.  Whitney has also gone with us to watch some of Raelynn's school programs and special events. 

Raelynn and Whitney spend between 6 and 10 hours together each month.  I have seen Raelynn turn into a young woman who wants to be involved in community events; for example, she is going to be with me to do the Passion Play at our church this year.  Raelynn is becoming a leader in her class because of the positive example she has seen through her relationship with Whitney.   Raelynn and Whitney’s relationship has been a great fit.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has more than just an impact on the child and mentor, it has an impact on the entire family.  I know I have grown over the past two years as  I have been able to watch my child grow and mature.  My son has also seen the positive impact his sister’s relationship has had on us, we feel like Whitney is a part of our family.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to my story and please consider making an impact on the lives of many families.

National Volunteer Week

As National Volunteer Week comes to an end, we thought we would leave you with a few words from Congressman Bruce Braley:






This week is National Volunteer Week.  I hope you will take this very special opportunity to reach out and get involved to make your community a better place. 

Growing up in Brooklyn, Iowa, my parents set great examples of giving to our community - my mother was a teacher and my father, a veteran.  They led by example, encouraging my siblings and me to get involved and give back in our own unique ways.

When my wife Carolyn and I had children, we knew that it was a value we wanted to instill in them.  We became involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and I became a Big Brother to DeUndre, who lived in Waterloo with his family.  We spent time playing games, working on homework, celebrating birthdays, and we became good friends.

When DeUndre was 12 years old, he was diagnosed with cancer.  He was hospitalized at the University of Iowa to undergo treatment, but his family was unable to be by his side as he went through chemotherapy.  I was able to go to Iowa City and stay by his side for several weeks helping him through his treatment - giving peace of mind to his family and being a familiar face for DeUndre.  He was an incredible example of strength as he fought, and later beat cancer.

Although DeUndre is now in his twenties, he and I are still close and I'm thankful for the experiences we have shared together.  Being a Big Brother has impacted me in many, many ways and I wanted to share my experience and encourage others to get involved as well.  I later became president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa to do just that.

Being involved in the community has been a constant reminder about why I'm proud to be an Iowan.  We look out for each other; we help each other and want what's best for each other.

Thank you for all you do.
Bruce

Wordless Wednesday: National Volunteer Week

National Volunteer Week

Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to take time out during National Volunteer Week to thank all the wonderful Big Brothers and Sisters throughout the years.  Big Brothers Big Sisters could not exist without the abundant generosity and commitment within each and every one of you.  You are all truly appreciated and we could not say thank you enough!

For starters, we'll say THANK YOU in 25 different ways:

Arabic	Shukran
Chinese, Cantanese	Do Jeh
Chinese, Mandarin	Xie Xie
Czech	Dêkuji
Danish	Tak
Finnish	Kiitos
French	Merci
German	Danke
Greek	Efharisto
Hawaiian	Mahalo
Hebrew	Toda
Hindi, Hindustani	Sukria
Italian	Grazie
Japanese	Arigato
Korean	Kamsa Hamnida
Norwegian	Takk
Philippines (Tagalog)	Salamat Po
Polish	Dziekuje
Portuguese	Obrigado
Russian	Spasibo
Spanish	Gracias
Swahili	Asante
Swedish	Tack
Turkish	Tesekkür Ederim
Vietnamese	Cam O

It's Time to Celebrate!!

The last day of school is almost here which means it's time for another End of the School Year PARTY!  All matches are welcome to join us at Maple Lanes for food, fun, bowling and lots of laughs. 

**all School Based Bigs are asked to contact Big Brothers Big Sisters to ensure your Little can meet you at Maple Lanes

10 Ways You Can Start Something

 1.  Donate $25, $50 or even $100

 2.  Become a Big Brother or Big Sister 

 3.  Sponsor an activity for our Bigs and Littles

 4.  Recruit friends to sign up and become a Big

 5.  Participate and support our annual fundraisers

 6.  Provide tickets for our Bigs and Littles to attend community and sporting events.

 7.  Schedule a Big Brothers Big Sisters presentation at your office, place of worship or with a social group you are involved in

 8.  Become a monthly donor for as little as $5 a month and provide on-going support throughout the year

 9.  Offer a discount from your business for Bigs and Littles

  10.  Consider a corporate sponsorship tailored to your business interests

We’d love to know how you’d like to help us start something.
Please contact our office to get started!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa, 2530 University Ave Suite 8, Waterloo, IA 50701

Tel: 319-235-9397  |  www.iowabigs.org

Start Something.

March Matches and April Anniversaries

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

Christina Throndson and Imani
Olivia Brown and Victoria
Lara Guay and Tiffany
Jennifer Nurre and Chloe
Cory Young and Sabastian
Amy Delagardelle and Hailey
Ben Caughron and Evan
Heather Clark and Destiny
Danielle Wagner and Rosalyn
Tim Rogers and Gage


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

One Year:
Dan Schimerowski and Chryshaun
Robin Summers and Erica
Sarah Hannes and Marlesia
Elissa Paulsen and Alizay
Courtney Schwitzer and KeeAjah
Brittney Gosse and Rebekah
Adam Standiford and Justice
Brad Timmerman and Ethan
Katie Klein and BreAnna

Two Years:
Sydney Hibler and Starr
Bob Hoffman and McKenna

Three Years:
Tiffany Anderson and Sydney
Carol Houk and Nakia
Judy Thorson and Elvira

Four Years:
Howard Craven and Marquese
Jackie Downey and Katie