Allentown, PA — May 17, 2016 —Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley celebrated the dedication of its Bigs, Littles, donors, school administrators and other community partners at Big Stories!, its annual awards ceremony and dinner, on Wednesday, May 4. The event, which hosted nearly 150 people, took place at Muhlenberg College in Allentown. The event connected donors and the greater Lehigh Valley community with the organization’s mission, allowing them to understand the impact of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ one-to-one mentoring programs first-hand.
The following individuals and companies were recognized by the agency for their dedication to the betterment of children’s lives at Big Stories! 2016:
- Community-Based Big Brother: Gary Walleisa
- Community-Based Big Sister: Jan Milinichik
- Site-Based Big Brother: Elliot Miller
- Site-Based Big Sister: Rae Oanesa
- Site-Based Program: Wilson Area School District
- Corporate Community Impact: Diefenderfer Electrical Contractor, Inc.
- Individual Community Impact: Joel Cook
- Pamela Campbell Memorial Award: Susan Stachowski, Sands Bethlehem
- Fundraising Volunteer of the Year: Odra Anderson
In addition to the plaques each recipient received, all honorees were awarded with citations from several Pennsylvania State Senators and Representatives for their dedication to the betterment of the community.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley
For over 40 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes, such as educational success; avoidance of risky behaviors; and higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships. Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully pairs children (“Littles”) with qualified, trained, and screened volunteers (“Bigs”) and monitors and supports these one-to-one mentoring matches throughout their course. Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Outcomes Survey Report reinforces the mentoring program’s evidence base of positive academic, socio-emotional and behavioral outcomes for youth, areas linked to high school graduation, avoidance of juvenile delinquency and college or job readiness.
Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity, often those of single or low-income households or families where a parent is incarcerated or serving in the military, with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. This mission has been the cornerstone of the organization’s 100-year history.
A United Way partner agency, Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley has experienced a growth of 134% in the number of children served since 2010. The organization is engaged in a nationwide search to reunite with alumni mentors, mentees, donors, and family, staff and board members. Learn how you can volunteer or donate—visit www.bbbslv.org.
Information and photos provided by:
Susan Bartels, CEO
Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley
41 S. Carlisle Street
Allentown, PA 18109
