We therefore encourage all "Bigs" to consider printing this newsletter to share with their “Littles” if they do not receive it electronically.
Your Support Is Needed More Than Ever…
As our country slides deeper into recession, many donors are having to make tough choices when considering an annual charitable gift this holiday season. At BBBSBA, we are already feeling the impact of the economic budget crunch and have seen funding levels start to decline. We recognize that there are many worthwhile causes to support and know that discretionary income may be stretched this year. However, if you do have the ability to make a financial gift this holiday season, your support would be greatly appreciated and is needed now more than ever.
As an independent non-profit agency, BBBSBA relies on local funding to sustain our services. Donor support allows us to provide one-to-one mentoring to more than 1,000 Bay Area youth free of charge. Continued funding is essential to be able to maintain our services to these matches.
But in addition to the many matches already enrolled, we have another 1,000 young people on the waiting list. And although volunteers are always in demand, we even have approximately 700 Bigs on a waiting list who have already applied to serve as mentors.
What it will take to begin to clear this waiting list is increased funding resources to expand BBBSBA’s capacity, allowing us to keep pace with the increasing demand for our services.
By expanding our program capacity, we can get more kids into caring, lasting mentoring relationships that can transform a child’s life. A child like Luc (pictured at right), a nine-year-old boy who lives in Castro Valley with his mother, Ceta, and is waiting to be matched with a Big Brother. Luc wants a Big that he can go fishing with, play basketball with, or maybe join him at his Cub Scout activities. As a single mom, Ceta just hopes to have a positive male role model in Luc’s life.
We receive as many as 100 - 200 calls a month requesting services for kids like Luc. And the number keeps growing everyday. If you can make only one charitable gift this season, please consider supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area. Your generous gift at any level will help transform a child's life forever.
In this issue:
Season’s Greetings from BBBSBA!
Your Support Is Needed
More Than Ever…
Marc & Russell – A Match Story
Poker Tournament
A Time to Be Thankful
Our Holiday Wish List
Other Ways to Help
Calendar of Events
Match Anniversaries
We would like to extend a festive season’s greeting to all of our volunteers, donors, and friends. Your support and enthusiasm is an inspiration to all of us.
Our most heartfelt wishes to you all for a joyous holiday season and a happy and healthy New Year.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
of the Bay Area
This holiday season, we wanted to share with you a match story that illustrates the lasting impact of relationships formed through the BBBS program. Meet Marc and Rusty – matched in 1970, as they recall how their lives were, and continue to be, transformed by their special bond:
Over 30 years ago, Marc Hagan was a producer for KGO Radio in San Francisco and matched to Little Brother Russell. “Rusty” was 16 years old, living in a struggling single parent home; his self-esteem was very low, and his hopes for the future were bleak – even his favorite color was black. “If any young man needed some male influence,” recalls Marc, “it was Rusty.”The day Rusty met Marc for the first time, Rusty had been playing hooky from school - and much to his surprise, Marc didn’t lecture or judge him. He was just there to be a friend, no matter what. “This was the first time someone showed an interest in me,” recalls Rusty. “Marc took me to movies, plays, to his job - I became a part of his life, and he was interested in me; who I was.”
Marc eventually introduced Rusty to the world of electronics, sharing his knowledge of sound and audio; with Marc’s guidance and support, Rusty eventually became head of his high school’s audio-visual department. That experience resonated with Rusty who continued to pursue his interest in the audio-visual field… and today, Rusty is Chief Engineer for two local San Francisco TV stations.
According to Rusty, “Marc showed me life as I had never known it, showed me the world was a much bigger place than I had thought.” Now in his fifties with kids and grandkids of his own, Rusty is proud of his professional and personal success. He doesn’t think he would be where he is today without Marc’s intervention.
“Rusty is an excellent father and credit to the community.” says Big Brother Marc. “[Becoming a Big] was the most rewarding chapter of my life.”
Bigs and Littles On Ice!
Our generous corporate partner, Safeway, Inc. hosted a private skating party for Bigs and Littles at the Union Square “Holiday Ice Rink” Tuesday, December 2nd. Many matches laced up their skates for the first time, while others couldn’t wait to show off their speed skating skills! Whether beginners or old pros, all the participants had a great time and expressed their thanks to Safeway and the staff at the Holiday Ice Rink for providing such a fun activity to kick-off the holiday season.
The Perfect Holiday Gift for the Poker Enthusiast...
Been racking your brain for a unique holiday gift to give this holiday season? Consider buying that special person a seat at the 3rd Annual Lucky Chances Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament to benefit BBBSBA! Your friends and family can have fun testing their poker skills (or lack thereof!) while at the same time support the youth mentoring programs of Big Brothers Big Sisters. A full 100% of the entry fee and 100% of re-buys made at the tournament are donated to BBBSBA.
The tournament is held on Saturday, January 29th at 10 AM at the Lucky Chances Casino in Colma. Seats are limited so don’t miss out! Click here or call BBBSBA at 415-503-4396 to learn more or to purchase tickets.
Our November Newsletter featured some quotes from several of our Bigs and Littles who sent in answers to the question: “What are you most thankful for about having a Big or Little in your life?” Because of the volume of replies, we’re continuing this feature again in December to share more of the responses we received… hope these warm your hearts as much as they did ours!:
I’m thankful to my Little Brother for “helping me regain a perspective on this world” - Steve F., Big Brother to Ahmad (age 9)
I’m thankful for “knowing that I can make someone so happy by just being there for her – even if it's something as simple as playing games, helping her with her homework, or taking her to a playground.” - Grace H, Big Sister to Kianna (age 10)
I’m thankful to my Little Brother for how “ he has helped me learn how to be a better Big Brother” - Xander S., Big Brother to Max (age 10)
I’m thankful for "the refreshing perspective on life from my vibrant, inquisitive and insightful Little Sister." - Ginnie H., Big Sister to Milagro (age 12)
I’m thankful to my Little Brother for “opening me up to different perspectives.” - Tom M., Big Brother to Shaquan (age 15)
I’m thankful for "the opportunity to cultivate a new relationship, and the energy we both give each other." - Ronnie L, Big Brother to Darrel (age 14) (pictured right)I’m thankful for “the opportunity to develop and grow a long-lasting, mutually beneficial friendship.” - Macy A., Big Sister to Desjaunae (age 14)
I’m thankful for “being offered a different vantage point on life from Dijon every week. He reminds me what it's like to be young again.” - Jeffery B., Big Brother to Dijon (age 15)
I’m thankful for “having a Little Brother who I have seen mature over the years and who has taught me valuable life lessons along the way." - Steve L., Big Brother to Anthony (age 16)
The Junior Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area hosted a costumed Bowling for Kids’ Sake Event on November 14th. They raised over $20,000 for Bay Area kids! Interested in hosting your own BFKS event through your company or in your community? Contact Joanne Gold at jgold@bbbsba.org for more details.
Each year Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area hosts annual holiday celebrations for Bigs and their Little Brothers and Sisters. You can help make this event possible by donating one or more gift cards to be used as gifts to be enjoyed by the children in our programs who attend these events.
Your donations are needed not only during the holiday season, but year round as gifts used to celebrate milestone birthdays, school graduations, and other special events for our Littles who might not otherwise receive acknowledgement.
Suggested types of gift cards:
Department Stores
Drug Stores
Sporting Goods
Gas Cards
Grocery Stores
Arts & Craft Supply Stores
Movie Theatres
Toy Stores
Electronic Stores
Restaurant/Franchise
Bath & Body Stores
Suggested gift card value $10+
Other ideas are always welcome! Please contact Stephanie at sjacques@bbbsba.org for questions or additional information.
Other Ways to Help
Donate your vehicle:
Our car donation partnership with Able Auto Charity donation makes it easy – they pick-up and do all the paperwork – you receive the tax benefits, BBBSBA receives the donation. Just call Able Auto Charity Donation at 408-963-9591 or visit their website at www.ableautocharity.com to get started!
United Way Campaigns:
Consider designating Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area (United Way #66712, EIN #23-7108045) as the beneficiary of your United Way contributions this year. Your support will add up to very real economic benefits that positively impact the entire community.
Help Spread the Word:
The new website Great Nonprofits allows charitable organizations to be discovered and gain greater visibility through postings and reviews by clients, volunteers, corporate partners and other supporters. Please consider going to this website to post your inspirational stories and experiences with BBBSBA...and encourage the support of others! Click here to write a review: www.greatnonprofits.org/reviews/profile2/big-brothers-big-sisters-of-the-bay-area1
Calendar of Events
December 2nd
Safeway Holiday Skating Party for Bigs and Littles
Union Square, San Francisco
December 14th
BBBSBA Annual Match Holiday Party
San Francisco Elks Lodge
December 25th – 26th
BBBSBA offices closed – Happy Holidays!
And Don’t Forget to Save the Date…
January 24th
3rd Annual Lucky Chances Poker Tournament
South San Francisco
February 8th
BBBSBA Day at the Warriors vs. Utah Jazz
Oracle Arena, Oakland
April 2nd
The Big Event Dinner Auction
San Francisco
For more information, call your Match Support Specialist or contact BBBSBA at 415-503-4050.
Congratulations to the following Big Brothers/Big Sisters and their Littles on celebrating a match milestone:
Marcia Hodges, Interim CEO
Milpitas Office
Dawn Kruger, Program Manager
Priscilla Marquez, Match Support
Patricia Melgoza, Match Support
Nicole Olson, Match Support
Rosa Revuelta, Match Support
Dolores SantaCruz, Customer Relations
Anthony Spivey, Program Coordinator
Jessica Wright, Site Coordinator
Oakland Office
Mandi Baughman, Match Support
Daniel Cavaliaye, Program Manager
Jenny Peck, Enrollment & Match
Lindsay Goldsmith, Program Coordinator
Hadley Salz, Match Support
Stacie Schlenker, Match Support
San Francisco Office
Coatlicue Ettling, Finance Manager
Joanne Gold, Chief Development Officer
Danielle Hoffman, Grants Manager
Stephanie Jacques, Partnership Coordinator
Jane Kurz, Development Director
Rick Ohren, Data Communications Specialist
Victoria Perera, Match Support
Narges Zohoury, Enrollment & Match
BBBSBA Board of Directors
Milton Balbuena, Contango Capital
Matthew Behan, KPMG
Joyce Champion, The Clorox Company
Tom DeJonghe
Robin Dilworth, The Permanente Federation
Katherine Fraser, D.M.H.
Jeff Grube, Paul Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
Josetta Jones, Chevron Corporation
Lesley Mbogo, IBM
Sonia Parekh, PRG Schultz
Paul Penney, Cypress Fund
Van Tran, Delaware Investments
Seven Years
Marcus A. & Mitchell F.
Barry S. & Brandon T.
Jeff. S & Kevin P.
Six Years
Broc S. & Quana K.
Three Years
Terance B. & Enrique J.
Roxane C. & Oraya H.
Lyndsay K. & Marjani D.
Traci T. & Ruth C.
Two Years
Brandon B. & Josue S.
Denise F. & Danicque S.
Christopher F. & Dylan A.
Elizabeth K. & Kristina R.
Kayla K. & A'ania M.
Matthew K. & Willie M.
Tracey L. & Jessica T.
Musa M. & Elijah W.
Mariette O. & Samantha K.
Jerson P. & LaVon'ntay C.
Shane R. & Jesse M.
Darshan S. & Nicholas T.
Edward S, & Henry T.
Mike S. & Benjamin N.
Warren T. & Kaleb G.
Rose T. & Maria S.
One Year
Jose A. & Arun B.
Laura B. & Victoria T.
Shelly D. & Fabiola P.
Whitney D. & Jasmine T.
Mark F. & Giovan S.
Cynthia F. & Brian D.
Laurel F. & Cassandra B.
Julia G. & Sierra Rose H.
Alice G. & Kemarea S.
Mark M. & Deshon S.
Branden R. & Malik J.
Nelson T. & Tyus W.