Guide to
Big Brothers Big Sisters BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN 521 South Union Street Traverse City, MI 49684 231.946.2447 www.bigsupnorth.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Cecilia J. Chesney BOARD OF DIRECTORS Perry Adams Tony Anderson Jacque Andres Kevin Beaudoin Mitchell Blue Chris Ballou John Cueter Bruce Finlayson Andy Gale Maxwell Janis Jennifer Jones Lauren Pfeil Susan Frye Bill Wadsworth MISSION STATEMENT To provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that can change their lives for the better. AD SPONSOR
FOX MOTORS Only the Best.
Thank you to The Dennos Museum Center, Northwestern Michigan College
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MyNorth.com Guide to Giving
YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE! Amy’s Story It’s 8am, I just woke up and I’m late…hungry but no time to eat. I look in the refrigerator for something quick, but all I see is an empty milk carton and some unwrapped leftover pizza. My little brother starts to cry – he’s 2 and he needs his diaper changed. My mom left for work an hour ago, and the next door neighbor said to bring him over when it was time for me to get on the school bus. It’s a lot of stress for a 9 year old. I changed Jake’s diaper and got him dressed, then he was hungry! I made him a bottle and tried to find something to wear to school – everything was dirty – I never have any clean shirts to wear to school. I ended up wearing the same thing I had on yesterday… I really hoped no one would notice. I heard the bus driver beeping his horn – all I can think is ‘I’m Late AGAIN!’ I quickly ran Jake over to the neighbors and as I headed toward the bus, I tripped and fell, ripping a hole in my jeans on the way. This was just the beginning of a very bad day! Amy faces so many challenges every day that a 9 year old just shouldn’t have to, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel for her. When I got to school I thought, “oh good, I have time to eat some breakfast” … our school has a program for kids who don’t get breakfast at home. I felt so much better after I got something to eat. My teacher seemed kind of crabby though, and it didn’t help that I got all of my spelling words – except one – wrong! She asked why I didn’t study harder and I told her I was babysitting my little brother and didn’t have time. She seemed kind of angry about that. At lunch time my BIG Sister Sara came to see me at school. Boy was I glad to see her!!! Sara has a way of making all the bad things in my life seem far away. She helped me study my spelling words and talked to my teacher about letting me retake the test. My teacher agreed and I got ALL the words right except one, and my teacher wasn’t mad anymore! Sara said she was going to teach me how to do laundry so that I didn’t have to worry about having to wear dirty clothes to school. She also said she’d ALWAYS be here for me no matter what! I think everything’s going to be okay, because I have my Big Sister Sara! I LOVE my BIG Sister!
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES There is no gift too big or too small for Big Brothers Big Sisters. As a local organization, all of the financial gifts stay local and are used directly for running our programs and ensuring the safety and well-being of those we serve. BIGS-NW receives no State or Federal Funding, nor do we receive any funds from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. We rely on support from local grants, the United Way agencies in our service area, our own fundraising events, and individual and corporate support from the communities we serve. Interested donors can visit our website at www.bigsupnorth.com to make a donation or call us at 231-946-2447 ext. 218. CRITICAL NEED IN 2014 Out there somewhere is someone who needs a Big. You may become the biggest influence in their life by being there or making it possible for someone to be there. The need for our services continues to grow each year. Financial support and volunteers are needed in order to continue to provide a quality program to the many individuals who seek our assistance. Please help support the many children in our community who are waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister.