Thank you for taking time out of your day to consider donating to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Athens County. I already made a small donation of $50.00, and I hope you will consider doing the same.
A majority of the children the agency serves come from households living at or below the federal poverty line (about $25000 for a family of four). Most of the children Big Brothers Big Sisters supports have also lost a parent due to desertion, incarceration, or death. They are facing an uphill battle to graduate from high school, abstain from using drugs, and become caring and productive members of society.
Having a strong role model and mentor who guides you through the challenges in life can make the difference between succeeding and succumbing to a troubled environment. You likely had someone to guide you through life- a parent, an uncle, a coach or a teacher who was the example we followed and emulated. I believe every child deserves that opportunity, and Big Brothers Big Sisters is the most effective (and frugal!) way to do so. And we’re not just throwing volunteers and children together and hoping for the best. Each mentor is interviewed, screened, trained and supported by the staff and volunteers at Big Brothers Big Sisters. This thoughtful approach results in sustained and productive relationships between each “Little” and “Big” that lead to important outcomes:
Public/Private Ventures, an independent national research organization, looked at over 950 boys and girls from eight Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across the country. Approximately half of the children were randomly chosen to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister. The others were assigned to a waiting list. The matched children met with their Big Brothers or Big Sisters about three times a month for an average of one year.
Researchers found that after 18 months of spending time with their Bigs, the Little Brothers and Little Sisters, compared to those children not in our program, were:
- 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
- 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
- 52% less likely to skip school
- 33% less likely to hit someone
And hey, it’s pretty fun too. I haven’t met a Little yet that didn’t adore their Big.
Please consider making a small donation here, or contacting your local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency to find out how to become a BIG to a little guy or gal. There are thousands of children on the waiting list waiting for someone just like YOU.
Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.
Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!
Thank you,
Tara
“What if every child was sent on the right path? What if every child stayed in school? Graduated college? Got a job? Gave back to the community? What if every child’s potential was fulfilled? What could that start? It could be the start of something big."