Published: May 02, 2009 09:20 pm         

Big Brothers Big Sisters banquet honors volunteers

TERRE HAUTE — Vectren Energy hosted the annual Volunteer and Business Appreciation Dinner for Big Brothers Big Sisters on April 21. The event is staged each year to honor the many volunteer mentors who provide time and resources to mentor children in the Wabash Valley as well as the business partners who support the agency throughout the year. More than 130 people attended the dinner at ISU’s Hulman Memorial Student Union.

Little Brothers and Sisters are encouraged to nominate their Bigs for “Big of the Year” by writing an essay explaining why they feel their Big should be selected for the honor. This year’s nominees included Peter Scott, nominated by his Little Brother Brayden; Tom Thomas, nominated by his Little Brother Dakota; Nick Wilson, nominated by his Little Brother, Ian; Amanda Hickey, nominated by her Little Sister, Taylor; and Courtney Majors, nominated by her Little Sister, Autumn.

The selection committee had a difficult decision as all the letters were convincing and the nominees all worthy of recognition. Courtney Majors was selected as “Big of the Year” and received a book on mentoring, a silver keychain from BBBS, earrings and two tickets to Holiday World. The winning entry written by first-grade student, Autumn, described the many activities they did together and the help she received from Courtney with homework and reading. Autumn’s parent was also a strong supporter of nominating Courtney, stating that her daughter’s “grades had improved and her attitude was happier and excited when she realized she would be seeing her Big Sister.” All Big Brothers and Sisters received a certificate of recognition for the involvement and guidance toward their Littles.

Also honored during the evening were several business partners who have provided support during the past year. A plaque honoring Vectren Energy for being the 2009 corporate sponsor was the first business award of the evening. Recognized for awarding financial grants were: Walmart State Giving Foundation, Clara Fairbanks Foundation and Wabash Valley Community Foundation. Businesses receiving certificates of recognition for support during the annual Bowl For Kids Sake fundraiser were: Strike Sponsors, Time Warner Cable, WalMart, Bemis Corporation, Tribune Star and WTWO.

Spare sponsors receiving awards included: Terre Haute Bowling Center, First Financial, Grizzly, Clabber Girl, Republic Services, Duke Energy, The Helping Hands, Riddell National Bank, ISU Foundation, Gibson Teldata, Terre Haute Savings Bank, Outback Steakhouse, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Travel Leaders, Mics Pics and Tabco. Golf sponsors recognized included Title Sponsors, Terre Haute Savings Bank, Tribune Star and Cheeseburger in Paradise.

In addition, fundraising efforts by Lambda Chi Alpha for their annual Walk for Kids, a 24-hour marathon completed by the fraternity members at Rose-Hulman were honored along with the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at Rose Hulman, which sponsored a Comedy Night with proceeds donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Rent-A-Center, located at the east WalMart plaza was honored for their recent Easter Egg campaign and a pie-in-the-face fundraising day on April 3, which allowed anyone donating $5.00 to throw a pie in the face of a Rent-A-Center employee.

Any individual interested in becoming a Big Brother, Big Sister or Big Couple can contact Big Brothers Big Sisters at 2931 Ohio Blvd, (812) 234-0709 or by e-mailing bbbs@mach500.net. The program serves youth, ages 6 to 18 in a six-county area including Vigo, Vermillion, Clay, Sullivan, Parke and Clark. There are currently 300 matches in the community and school mentoring program and 106 children waiting to be matched with a Big Brother or Sister.