Big Brothers, Big Sisters Recruitment Luncheon Held In Warsaw
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
A recruitment luncheon for Big Brothers Big Sisters was held Tuesday to bring awareness to the need for mentors. The lunch was at Mad Anthony’s Lake City Taphouse in Warsaw and was attended by Big Brothers and Big Sisters mentors and those interested in joining the organization. Big Brothers Big Sisters helps children reach their potential through professionally supported one-on-one mentoring relationships. There are community-based mentors who meet two to four times per month and site-based mentors called School Buddies who meet one hour per week for the duration of the school year. Trina Hoy, Big Brothers Big Sisters community development director, said Kosciusko County currently has 170 matches and the goal is to develop 100 more matches during the Shoe Can Make A Difference Campaign that began Monday and runs through Sept. 22. The goal in the 13 counties in Indiana and Michigan the organization serves is to start 300 matches in 90 days. Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer attended and spoke about the importance of mentorship. “Every one of us know at some point in their lives a mentor is always a real boost, whether it is through college looking for direction for a career and spiritually, and mentoring is a selfless bond that you develop with someone and there are benefits on both sides,” Thallemer said. Josette Rider, Big Brothers Big Sisters executive director, said she has six brother, 23 nephews and two sons and wanted a little sister so she became a “big sister.” Rider, a former teacher, made an analogy with money and mentoring. She said if a person saw money lying on the road would they pick it up even if it was crinkled and muddy. “The money is a piece of paper. It doesn’t matter what it looks like or where it has been or if it is ripped or wet. It matters that it has value,” Rider said. Rider said children also have value. “If we as a society can give money value, then how can we not give our neediest children their value,” Rider said. Donna Fisher, Warsaw, has been a lunch buddy for the past year to an eight-year-old girl. “My little had a lack of self esteem and it has been rewarding to see how far she has come,” Fisher said. For more information about the organization or to become a Big Brother or Big Sister visit www.bbbsnei.org
