The North Grenville Times
Big Brothers - Big Sisters staying put After reading a comment in one of last week’s articles, stating that the NG Chamber of Commerce were interested in moving into the office at the Municipal Centre currently occupied by Big Brothers - Big Sisters [BBBS], Jane Fullerton, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Leeds and Grenville, wanted to assure everyone that they have no intention of moving out of their space in the near future. “We have rented this space for over 5 years. We have a lease for the space mentioned that we fully expect to continue and renew when it expires in a couple of years”, said Jane. Big Brothers Big Sisters provided service to 470 children from the Kemptville office last year - 1,307 children throughout Leeds and Grenville. Big
Brothers Big Sisters of Leeds and Grenville has been providing mentoring services and supports such as back to school supplies, clothing, shoes and a hot lunch subsidy since 1977. In April of 2011, they opened a satellite office at the North Grenville Municipal Centre in order to better serve the children in need in North Grenville, Merrickville, and Edwardsburg Cardinal. Jane listed the various events that BBBS put on in the area each year. “In 2011, we started our main fund raiser that supports that office, Kemptville Ribfest, following our Brockville Ribfest model. We will be hosting the 7th annual Kemptville Ribfest Father’s Day weekend June 16th-18th 2017. We are participating in the Santa Claus parade in Kemptville just as we
have for the past 5 years. Our 6th annual Christmas party for our kids is on Sunday, December 4 at Geronimo’s as has been our tradition for the past 5 years. The local banks are generously supporting the children we serve by having Christmas giving trees in their locations to ensure that our kids get some gifts this Christmas”. Jane also pointed out that, because of the confidential nature of the services they provide, BBBS cannot share office space, and their current office suits their needs perfectly. “We rent the kitchen a couple of times a year to bake cookies and make sausages and pancakes with the kids. We do a movie night in the theatre and then have pizza in the office. We also do a skating event and of course the office is the
perfect place for us from which to launch our annual Kemptville Ribfest event”, she said. There was concern that the suggestion of the Chamber’s interest in that office may have given rise to speculation that BBBS are vacating the space and/or possibly leaving Kemptville all together. Jane wished to reassure everyone concerned. “I want the public, and especially the people, to whom we provide service to know that this is NOT the case. The Christmas season can be an uncertain time and I would like to make it VERY clear that Big Brothers Big Sisters will be in our usual place at the North Grenville Municipal Centre to support the children we serve.”
The Voice of North Grenville
Have you heard THE NEWS?
CHRISTMAS DAY COMMUNITY DINNER Leslie Hall. Sunday, December 25, Noon until 2 pm
Turkey or Ham with all the trimmings with great company
For more information contact : Al or Angie at 613.258.1654 or 613.223.3979 Deliveries from 11:30 am Pick up service available
the north grenville
TIMES Peter Peers Gord Logan
Marketing Consultant Sales Representative Phone 613 989 2850 Email: peter@ngtimes.ca Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca
Star of the Library
by Hilary Thomson The owner of the Giant Tiger in Kemptville was honoured last Thursday at this year’s Friends of the North Grenville Public Library Annual General Meeting. Harry Haider received the Star of the Library Award for his dedication to the library for the past 13 years. Every year, he has donated refreshments for Friends of the Library’s Holiday Fun Fest which runs between Christmas and New Year. “Harry has said ‘take what you want for the kids’, and has never asked to be thanked,” said Kerry Badgley, who presented him with the award. Harry received the award with a big thank you. “We try and do what we can for the community,” he said. His wife Tara and his four children were on hand as special guests to watch him receive recognition for his contribution. After a long stint in Kemptville, Harry and his family will be moving to Peterborough to pursue a new opportunity. Harry will be the owner and manager of a brand new Giant Tiger which will be the largest in Ontario.
What an amazing night at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Leeds and Grenville! Submitted by Leanne Cadieux The Kemptville crew was hard at work carving their masterpieces. We would like to send out a HUGE THANK YOU TO Steve Jonsson of JONSSON INDEPENDENT GROCER for supplying ALL of the pumpkins used for the event. You made the children’s night a great one. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Leeds and Grenville offers Activity Nights twice a month to children in our community where they can socialize with other children and mentors in our organization. We believe that children are our future and deserve to learn and appreciate all that life has to offer. What if… Every child fulfills their potential? Every child is set on the right path today? Every child in Canada finishes high school, goes to college or university, gets a job and gives back to their community? Our Programs strive to do the following: Provide a role model and a friend for boys and girls Promote the importance of staying in school and healthy relationships with family and peers Instill trust and self confidence in order to make healthy decisions Encourage leadership skills and independent thinking And above all, make a difference while having fun If you are interested in becoming a mentor or would like to enroll your child in any one of our free programs, please feel free to email Leanne Trimble-Cadieux at Leanne.trimble@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca
November 23, 2016
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Leanne-Cadieux, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Steve Jonsson, owner of Jonsson Independent Grocer www.ngtimes.ca