Moravian College President will help lead agency’s fundraising efforts for the John Walson, Jr. Memorial Open golf outing on September 28
Allentown, PA – July 8, 2015 — Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley is pleased to introduce Dr. Bryon Grigsby, President of Moravian College, as the honorary chair for its Third Annual John Walson Jr. Memorial Open golf tournament.
Grigsby, now in his third year as president, is also a 1990 alumnus of Moravian College. He earned his Master’s and Ph.D. from Wake Forest University and Loyola University Chicago, respectively. As Honorary Chair, Grigsby will play an essential role in publicizing and fundraising for the Open. Grigsby said he is excited to work with the agency’s staff and event committee to make the event a huge success.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley has a very special place in my heart, because when I went to Moravian College, I served as a Big Brother,” Grigsby added. “I know first-hand that it is a great organization that provides guidance and mentorship to many children. I am honored to support Big Brothers Big Sisters for all they do to make our community stronger.”
President Grigsby 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, is also grateful for the addition.
“Bryon epitomizes what we look for in an Honorary Chair,” Bartels said. “Since his return to the Lehigh Valley as President of Moravian College, he has shown interest in making a difference in the community. Bryon even displayed this love for the community as a student at Moravian 25 years ago when he was a Big Brother. We are very excited to re-engage him in our mission through our golf tournament and look forward to everything he has to offer.”
This year’s John Walson Jr. Memorial Open will be held on September 28 at Lehigh Country Club. Proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley. The overall event fundraising goal is $100,000. To help the agency reach its goal, visit www.bbbslv.org/open to register or become a sponsor.
Contact:
Brandy Barbera, Special Events & Community Relations Manager bbarbera@bbbslv.org 610-391-1827 x101
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 2013-2014 fiscal year, Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley, a United Way Partner Agency, served 327 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.
