Summer 2018 Newsletter

BIG Happenings Summer 2018

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham

William White, Laurie White, Corey Miller, Wendy White, and Bew White at A Night of Big Stars.

William and Corey meeting for the first time in 2006

Summer Classics Presents 7th Annual A Night of Big Stars For the seventh year in a row, Big Brothers Big Sisters proudly hosted A Night of Big Stars. This one-of-a-kind event features Little Brothers and Sisters in the program who put on an unforgettable show!

This year’s event was presented by Summer Classics.

Bew White, Founder & CEO of Summer Classics, and William White, President of Summer Classics served as the honorary Chairmen. The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters is particularly close to William’s heart as he served as a Big Brother in the organization for over seven years. Corey and William were matched as Big and Little Brother in 2006 when Corey was 11 years old. They became fast friends, spending their time at William’s farm, going out to eat together, and attending events throughout the city. Corey became family.

After Corey graduated high school in 2012, they slowly lost touch.

Earlier this year, Corey and William ran into one another and

quickly reconnected. Corey had discovered an interest in health and fitness, and William found himself in need of a personal trainer. They began training together. On many mornings as the sun is coming up, they can be found running through William’s neighborhood, Corey always encouraging William to push harder. Corey began working at Summer Classics while he pursues his dream of becoming a music artist.

“We are always looking for impactful organizations to give back to, but when I was approached with this opportunity from Big Brothers Big Sisters, it really hit home for me,” says William.

“After personally seeing the outcome of the relationship I have with my Little Brother, Corey, I knew how impactful this organization could be not only on a child’s life, but on the life of the mentor.”

The event raised over $247,000 which will help Big Brothers Big Sisters provide

dedicated and caring mentors to over 1300 children in our community this year.

“Each year A Night of Big Stars gets bigger and better,” says Sue Johnson, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters. ”We are so grateful to all of the sponsors who make this event possible, and to everyone who supports our mission of changing children’s lives through one-on-one mentoring.”

To see photos or learn more about the event, visit www.anightofbigstars.com.

Thank you Sponsors!

Summer Classics CBS42 Founders Advisors Alabama Power Brasfield & Gorrie EBSCO Publix The Welch Group Wells Fargo BB&T Bill and Judy Lewis Blue Eagle Consulting Bradley Burr & Forman Capstone Real Estate Investments Charles Schwab Collateral Holdings Colliers International Dunn Construction G&S Glass and Supply Great American Creative Harmon Dennis Bradshaw Insurance Hoar Construction Marathon Electrical Contractors Medical Properties Trust Nall Whatley Foundation Protective Regions ServisFirst Bank Steward Machine Company Surgical Care Affiliates The Beringer Group The Retail Companies UAB School of Business/School of Engineering Warren Averett White Plume Technologies

Sue Says The difference one life makes…

What a dramatically intense year this has been so far, both good and bad! We have had three large fundraisers, matched approximately 600 children with Big Brother and Big Sister mentors, taken children to visit multiple colleges, had a back to school bash complete with a cookout and free school supplies, written multiple grants to support our program, flown across the country to attend the Big Brothers Big Sisters National Conference and the Regional Conference. We horrifically lost two little sisters to gun violence, and a staff member, Candace Smith, who worked here for 14 years to a sudden death of natural causes of which we are still grieving.

One life you say? All the things we do at Big Brothers Big Sisters are always focused around every life. Each life matters here. Every child matters. Our entire mission is focused on matching one volunteer with one child in a longterm, positive relationship. The BIG thing we are the experts at is Mentoring and we have done years of research and training around this service. Our staff are expertly trained and work diligently at supporting strong, healthy relationships.

Children that participate in

the Big Brothers Big Sisters program are exposed to experiences like trips to college campuses, leadership tours (where we take our children to visit local leaders to hear about their life journeys and how they got where they did and to be coached by them), trips to local museums for cultural experiences, trips to fun places so they can “just be children”, camps, and libraries.

Our Big Brothers and Big Sisters s p e n d countless hours oneon-one doing everyday things like baking cookies, going fishing, reading books, going out to eat, fixing the car…you get the picture. It is during these everyday outings that one life gets saved, one life gets paid attention to, one life begins to believe they are worth something and worth making positive choices. They begin to picture themselves successful, full of life, and happy.

One life you say…one contribution to someone who will be a thriving, positive part of our community…one smart investment I say.

Vance with his Little Brother in the Workplace Mentoring Program at Cadence Bank.

Match Makers Make all the difference For 45 years now, our supporters have helped to take children off the waiting list and be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister. The time a volunteer spends with a child opens their world up to new possibilities. They help bring out the potential in that child to achieve BIG dreams. All of you that help make this happen are a part of a growing community of people determined to see these youth set goals and achieve them.

Matchmakers is another way to support that growing community on a recurring basis. This year, to celebrate our 45th birthday, we ask for a gift from you! We are asking for 45 people to become a Matchmaker. A Matchmaker commits to a monthly gift – an easy and

consistent way to start a new friendship for a child!

Many of you have already jumped on board to become a Matchmaker and we thank you for this consistent support.

Vance Waldron, Big Brother and Board Member shares why he became a Matchmaker.

“I support this organization because it’s the right thing to do. While there are plenty of challenges and setbacks in life, BBBS has provided an opportunity to bring some joy and hope to othersspecifically to the children in our community. The mission is simple and the impact is powerful. For me, the Match Makers program has become both an efficient and effective way to contribute to this impact and be reminded of what’s important.”

CEO

Vance with his wife Kala and their two boys.

Big and Little Brother Stewart and Tyler at the Back to School Bash.

Barbers from the Birmingham Barber Coalition give free haircuts to Little Brothers.

A group of waiting Littles take a trip to the Birmingham Zoo.

To become a Match Maker visit www.bhambigsmatchmakers.org

Former Little Brother recipient of first “Candace Smith Dream Big” Award In honor of her dedication to the children of our community, the “Candace Smith Dream Big Award” has been established to recognize a child in our program who has shown character values parallel to those Candace held true: showing compassion, living a life of service to others, and being a friend to all. This individual has shown that they live their life with a desire to give back to others in the way that Candace lived her life dedicated to the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters.

many of life’s important milestones together. Even after graduating from the program, they remain close.

Ru spent his summers with BBBS at camp, eventually taking on a leadership role as a counselor in training.

He always had a positive attitude and was a friend to all. They participated in every agency event, and to this day Ru stops by to visit and say hello. Ru and his family are truly a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters family.

Board of Directors Dr. Iwan Alexander President Shane Spray Vice-President

Sue Johnson, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters, with Kamyl Bailey, and Rulondo King. King was presented the “Candace Smith Dream Big Award” by Kamyl Bailey in memory of Kamyl’s Big Sister, Candace Smith who passed away in early 2018 after serving on the staff of Big Brothers Big Sisters for 22 years and as Big Sister to Kamyl for four years.

Bill Clements Secretary Michael Anderson Chip Bivins Robert Buchalter Keith Covington Jimmy Cromwell Jeff Davis Chris Gargala Willie Henderson

The inaugural Dream Big Award was awarded to Rulondo King at A Night of Big Stars on July 28. Ru, as he is affectionately called, was matched in the program with his Big Brother Murray Meadow for six years.

Murray and Ru forged a close bond and became family as they experienced

Over the past four years Ru worked hard and sacrificed to graduate this year from the University of Alabama and he plans to pursue a law degree. We are proud to present this award to a Little who truly exemplifies what it means to overcome adversity, dream big, and achieve those dreams.

Kimberly Jackson Debbie Long Mark Lovoy Mary Lauren McBride Clayton McKinnon Candace with her Little Sister Kamyl.

Lewis Mouron Brandon Pettagrue Daniel Pittman Josh Randolph Bill Steed Vance Waldron

Our Mission Our Mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-toone relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 3174 Birmingham, AL

1901 14th Ave S Birmingham, AL 35205 205-939-5590 www.bhambigs.org Follow us on Social Media @BBBSBHM

Meet Sarah and Jill Sarah Adkins is a PhD student earning her Doctorate in Biology from UAB, and a dedicated Big Sister to her little, Jill, for almost two years now. When asked about that the two like to do together, Jill and Sarah immediately discussed their mutual interest for video games like Roblox and Sims, where they can build and create different worlds on their cell phone or computer. Jill, who wants to be an animator when she grows up, lit up with joy every time she mentioned the virtual creations she made with Sarah.

This artistic passion that Jill has is present in Sarah as well, who studied Art in college alongside her biology pursuits.

Currently, she is working for a lab that educates students on microbes using art. She does this by making what she likes to call “Petri Dish Art.” This is what makes Jill and Sarah such a great pair, as Jill learns so much about art from Sarah. Once Jill turns ten, Sarah says she is allowed to see her in action doing her Petri Dish Art, which Jill is looking forward to.

Sarah and Jill work on a craft together at the BBBS holiday party

Sarah also learns a lot from Jill, saying that being her sister gives her more perspective on teaching and working with children. Aside from artistic activities, Jill and Sarah love going to Railroad Park with other Bigs and Littles from the program and eating at McDonald’s.

Sarah and Jill at their match introduction in 2016