Lehigh County District Attorney will help raise awareness for both the agency and the John Walson, Jr. Memorial Open golf outing on September 26
Allentown, PA – August 23, 2016 — Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley is excited to announce longtime Lehigh County District Attorney James “Jim” Martin as its honorary chair for the agency’s Fourth Annual John Walson Jr. Memorial Open golf tournament.
Martin has been the Lehigh County District Attorney since 1998, making him the longest serving DA in the County’s history. He has over four decades of experience as a trial attorney, and has served as president of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Institute.
He is a graduate of Allentown Central Catholic High School, and earned a BA from Mount Saint Mary’s University in Maryland and a JD from Temple University School of Law.
As Honorary Chair, Martin will play an essential role in publicizing the Open. He looks forward to working with the John Walson, Jr. Memorial Open event committee and BBBSLV staff to make this the organization’s most successful golf tournament to date.
“I’m proud to serve as the honorary chair for this year’s John Walson, Jr. Memorial Open,” Martin said. “Big Brothers Big Sisters has always done a tremendous job of helping children in Lehigh County overcome major struggles in their lives, in some of the area’s toughest neighborhoods. Better yet, their mentoring programs help children avoid the sorts of behaviors that could potentially make them a part of the juvenile justice system. I look forward to helping to raise awareness for such a worthy cause.”
District Attorney Martin is not the only one honored by his position as Honorary Chair for the John Walson Jr. Memorial Open. Susan Bartels, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley, said she was extremely grateful to have him on board in this important role.
“Jim Martin has made the Lehigh Valley a better, safer place for our kids,” Bartels said. “We’re very fortunate to have such a dedicated advocate for our mentoring programs joining us as this year’s Honorary Chair. Big Brothers Big Sisters looks forward to another terrific golf tournament this September with Jim’s leadership.”
The 2015 John Walson, Jr. Memorial Open will be held on Monday, September 26 at Lehigh Country Club with a 10 a.m. shotgun start. Bartels said she hopes the tournament will net at least $50,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley’s one-to-one mentoring programs. Over 100 golfers are expected to attend this year’s event. Those interested in registering can do so at www.biggolf.org.
Contact:
Silvia Vargas, Director of Development & Marketing svargas@bbbslv.org 610-432-8000
About Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley
Since 1970, 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.
In the 2015-2016 fiscal year, Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley, a United Way Partner Agency, served 394 Lehigh and Northampton County children in one-to-one mentoring relationships.
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. 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.
Press Release Provided By:
Silvia Vargas
Director of Development & Marketing
Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley
