December 2011 Volume 5, Issue 3 Big News Start tm (574) 232-9958 Something www.bbbs-sjc.org Match Snapshots Our Bigs and Littles have been busy having a wonderful time together. Want to join in on the fun? Just give us a call at 232-9958 or fill out our on-line volunteer application at www.bbbs-sjc.org.

Our matches got into the “spirit” of our Halloween Party, sponsored by the Notre Dame/St. Mary’s Student Association.

The annual fall picnic was a very soggy affair this year, but a few of our Bigs and Littles braved the cold rainy weather to come out and enjoy sub sandwiches, courtesy of Subway.

Little Brother BJ, 1st place costume contest winner. Big Sister Jacqueline Pimental-Gannon and her Little Sister Brandi enjoyed attending a Notre Dame football game together.

OUR 2011 GOLD SPONSOR Thank you to OUR 2011 VIP SPONSORS Teachers Credit Union We appreciate our VIP sponsors who stepped up to Start Something™ OUR 2011 SILVER SPONSOR If you would like to be featured as one of our VIP Sponsors for 2012, opportunities are now available. Please contact Beth Berry at 234-7444 for more information. Over 100 silent auction items were offered

Our 4th annual Evening of Magic dinner auction, held on We are extremely grateful to Laura Waite, Evening of September 30th, was a wonderful evening filled with food, Magic Volunteer Chairperson and her Planning Committee music, dancing, amazing auction items, and unforgettable volunteers: Steve & Tina Hunter, Jocelyn & Josh Mitchell, stories shared by some of our Bigs and their Littles. Michelle Peters, Heather Demler, Julianna Herring, Meg Basker, Teresa Crittendon, Robin Futa, Kelly Swanson, and One of the highlights of the evening was the program, Patty Thornberg. which included the debut of our new local video. The video was underwritten and produced by TJ Jorgensen and Street A special thank you to all the volunteers from Jordon Kids Care, a part of StreetKidsSoftball.com. You can see Automotive, who facilitated the smooth processing of both the video on our website at www.bbbs-sjc.org. registration and checkout, assisting in warmly welcoming our guests’ and assisting them in convenient departures at Big Brother Dr. Mark Green and his Little Brother DeErion the close of the evening. were one of our featured speakers and did a great job convey- ing the power of a mentoring relationship. Evening of Magic For those who supported our Evening of Magic event in Honorary Community Chairs Steve and Tina Hunter and any way, please know that your generosity will touch many their Little Brother Nelson, spoke about their 8 year match children’s lives, and on their behalf we thank you. relationship. Nelson is now a freshman in college at Indiana University in Bloomington. Tina and Steve’s support of this year’s Evening of Magic was outstanding. Little Brother Doug Osthimer, our dynamic auctioneer, kept the live auc- DeErion with his tion engaging and humorous. After the program and auc- tion, the amazing band Blammo provided our participants Big Brother Dr. with the opportunity to enjoy their music and hit the dance Mark Green floor. We really appreciate Blammo’s support this year!

Thanks to our Evening of Magic Sponsors Teachers Credit Union Street Kids Softball Participants Notre Dame Credit Union enjoy a Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center delicious meal Quality Dining Mutual Bank Zolman Barnes & Thornburg Four Horseman Brewing Company, Inc May Oberfell Lorber Tina & Steve Lake City Bank Hunter with Crowe Horwath Nelson share Adams Remco their story 1st Source Jordan Automotive Northwestern Mutual 2 Bonefish Grill Volunteer and Donor Appreciation Luncheon

On Thursday, November 10th, Big Brothers Big Sisters of their 3 year old match relationship and the impact it was delighted to honor some of our very special volun- has had on both of their lives. teers and donors at Bonefish Grill. Big Sister Dorothy Odom was honored for her nine Honorees included our VIP sponsors for 2011, Teachers years as a Big Sister to Little Sister Kierra. Mrs. Odom Credit Union and AM General. eloquently conveyed the power of mentoring and how it not only changes a child’s life but your own. Bob Hayden and his Jordan Ford Automotive em- ployees were recognized as our Volunteers of the Year Tim Zentz and his wonderful staff at Bonefish received for all of their assistance with our special events. a plaque of appreciation for their nine years of support of Big Brothers Big Sisters through this luncheon. Special Event Chairpersons Laura Waite, Evening of Magic, Mark Criniti, Golf Tournament, and Jennifer We are very grateful to our Board of Directors, all of our Pinkepank, Bowl For Kids Sake, were acknowledged for Big Brother Big Sister mentors, our donors and other all their efforts in facilitating the success of these events. supporters who give so generously of their time, talents and treasure throughout the year. Because of you, we are Big Brother Reverend Terrell Jackson was honored able to positively impact many children’s lives. for his support of our L.E.A.D. program, which brings together successful African-American men as mentors with African American boys, in a structured, educational Big Brother environment. He and his Little Brother Deontre spoke Terrell Jackson and Little Brother Board Deontre Presi- enjoy the dent Sam agency picnic Roule earlier this presents year. plaque to Bonefish Grill Managing Partner Tim Zentz. Mrs. Dorothy Odom and Little Sister Attendees Kierra enjoy a delicious meal

3 To The Knights of Columbus Council #5570 Our next big event is for their continued support of our program our annual Bowl For through their annual Lollipop Drive. The mem- Kids’ Sake, to be held bers have raised thousands of dollars for our men- at Chippewa Bowl in South Bend on Sat- toring programs for over 30 years with this Drive. urday, March 24th. Exciting new changes are coming to To the Brennan Dental Group for their gener- our 2012 event and you won’t want to miss it. Stay tuned for more information. If you would like to find out about ous donation of hats, gloves, and scarves for our the many ways you can join in on the fun now, please call Littles. Beth Berry at 234-7444. To the Rough Riders Motorcycle Club and Layman Chapel CME for their donation of Coming Events - Watch for details Thanksgiving baskets for some of our families. July 23, 2012 ~ Annual Golf Outing Many Thanks Morris Park Country Club To the Notre Dame Community Relations H Friday, September 28, 2012 H Department for sponsoring our Holiday Party. 5th Annual Evening of Magic

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Did You Know? Our Staff Our Vision Deborah Burrow, Executive January is National Director Our Mission Beth Berry, Fund Development Coordinator Mentoring Month Our vision is that all children Laurie Morlan, School Mentor achieve success in life. What a great time to become a Program Coordinator Big Brother or Sister. Get in- Our mission is to provide children Debra Walker, Outreach volved and help us spread the facing adversity with strong Coordinator/Case Manager and enduring, professionally Gene Wrobleski, Bookkeeper word about the importance of supported one-to-one P.O. Box 1632 mentoring. relationships that change South Bend, IN 46634 their lives for the better Give Debra Walker a call at 232- (574) 232-9958 – forever. 9958 for more information or to [email protected] www.bbbs-sjc.org get started today!