Thursday, August 9, 2012 • 3
ABOUT TOWN
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Making Friends for Life
Big Brothers Big Sisters Program Leads to Lasting Relationships BY LAURA MCALISTER
A Night of Big Stars When: Aug. 25, 6 p.m. Where: Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center Details: This event is a fundraiser for BBBS so that it can continue to provide mentors to children in the Birmingham area. The evening includes a cocktail hour beginning at 6 p.m. followed by a seated dinner catered by Yellow Bicycle Catering Co. and a live onstage production. BBBS has partnered with ArtPlay, the newly expanded arts education and outreach program of UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, to co-direct a production showcasing BBBS’s talent. Event chairmen are Jim Stephens and Eddie Friend. Contact: Rebecca Hunter, BBBS director of marketing and public relations, by email at rhunter@bbbsbhm.org or by phone at (205) 939-5590, ext. 23 or visit www.bbbsbhm.org
S
JOURNAL EDITOR
usan Shields speaks from experience when she describes the positive impact siblings can have on one another. The Homewood resident is one of five children. She has an older sister and brother, younger brother and she’s also a twin. Growing up in Mobile, she and her siblings were close and remain so today, even though they’ve scattered to different cities. “We have a really good dynamic,” Susan said of her family. “We’re all really close. I guess that’s one of the reasons I was interested in Big Brothers Big Sisters.” After graduating from Auburn University in 2008, Susan moved to Birmingham. In addition to working as a program assistant for Leadership Birmingham, she also wanted to find a meaningful way to volunteer her time. A friend of her sister’s in Atlanta was volunteering for the Big Brother Big Sister program there, so Susan decided she’d check to see if Birmingham had one. “I just called them up and asked what the process is,” she said. “Now I
Hoover Antique Gallery
Hoover’s Largest 80-Plus Vendors! 822-9500
Mollie Elder,left, Susan Shieldʼs Little Sister, will be among those performing Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr. at A Night of Big Stars.
feel like I know just about everything about it.” After filling out applications and going through the interview and background check process, Susan
was paired with Little Sister Molley Elders of Hoover about three and half years ago. Since then, the two meet
3411 Old Columbiana Rd. (Hwy 31 @ Patton Chapel Rd.) Across from Crest Cadillac
hooverantiquegallery.com
See FRIENDS, page 4
Engineered to make history by redefining the future. To: The 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 for $599/month*.
From: Date:
hooverantiques@bellsouth.net Over The Mountain Journal, phone 205 April 5
This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE Please fax approval o
Please make sure all informat and phon
Please initial and fa
If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday bef M
Thank you for yo
(205) 985-4200 CrownAutomobile.com
CrownAutomobile CrownAutomobile
*Based on a $599/month plus tax lease for 24 months/10,000 miles per year. $4,674 plus tax, title, and fees due at signing. MSRP $55,365. Good through August 31, 2012.