September is National Big Brothers/Big Sisters month.
Here in Quesnel, our agency is launching a mentor recruitment campaign – Ready, Set Match!
We are hoping to recruit 10 new community mentors in 100 days. Starting on Sept.6, the campaign will run until Dec. 14.
Mentor volunteers could consider either becoming a Big Brother, Big Sister or an In-School Mentor.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters are matched with children/youth with compatible interests.
With support from the agency, they are encouraged to spend a few hours each week doing fun activities together.
The In-School Mentor gets matched with a child from the elementary school and spends one hour per week together.
We supply games and other resources for them to play together at the school. They are also able to play outside on the school grounds.
The agency staff provides monitoring support to the matches.
Telus has given us a grant to help kick off the campaign. If you are interested in learning more, please call us at 992-7257 or drop by the Little Big House at 368 Vaughan.
BBBSQ was awarded a 2010 Growth Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.
Last year, the organization served 134 children/youth through our various programs.
The Donner Canadian Foundation has an annual call out for proposals.
We applied in the Services for Children category.
Last year, we received Honourable Mention and this year we are one of the three finalists.
There were approximately 600 grant applicants in the seven categories.
We will be advised later this month if we were chosen as the successful finalist.
The Stock the Locker campaign needs your help!
If you are able to make a small financial contribution to Staples that would be great.
We have a long list of community members waiting to receive a Staples gift card to help them with their children’s school supplies.
Join in our ongoing fundraiser.
Buy shopping cards for many of our local businesses through BBBSQ.
We receive a percentage of the revenue from the purchased cards.
All of the money raised stays in our community. Sears and Subway are the promotional stores this month.
Call us or visit our website at bigbrothersbigsistersofquesnel.ca if you want to order them online.
Upcoming events
Sept. 24, the Big Brothers/Big Sisters group will enjoy geo-caching and lunch at Pioneer Park.
We appreciate the assistance of the BPSA Scouting group for helping us with this activity.
Annual general meeting will be held at the Child Development Centre, Oct. 13, 6 p.m. Interested community members are welcome.
Maggie Bello is executive director of BBBSQ and a regular Observer columnist.