July/August/September/October, 2008

CALENDAR:

Pumpkin Patch/Corn Maze Activity, Sunday October 26, 2008. 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Misty Meadow Farm.

Annual Dinner Meeting, Wednesday, November 12, 2008. 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. The Plaza Hotel. This dinner is a thank you to all of our volunteers, so look for your invitiations in the mail!

Agency Christmas Dinner, Monday, December 8, 2008. 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. Otterbein United Methodist Church. Mark your calendars now!

Community-Based Anniversaries

3 Years:

Verna Brown/Alyssa House

2 Years:

Sherrie Crowder/Ashley Burnett

Judy Sterling/Marisa Carson

Naomi Doucette/Sadie Frederick

1 Year:

Donna Jones/Keiana Hardman

Derek Belz/Dontre' Nichols

Bonnie Gordon/Mariah Ford

Donna Mason/Leah Colvin

Darlene Faiola/Hannah Frye

NEW COMMUNITY-BASED MATCHES:

Cathy Keyser/Ja’Nay Parker: Cathy and Ja’Nay transferred from the School-Based Mentoring program on June 3, 2008. Ja’Nay is in the 5th grade at Fountaindale Elementary School.

Virginia Emerson/Destiny Jones: Ginny and Destiny were matched in the Community-Based program on June 11, 2008, after transferring from the School-Based Mentoring program. Destiny is in the 9th grade at North High.

Gary Naugle/Cory Irvin: Gary and Cory transferred into the Community-Based program on June 20, 2008. Cory is in the 6th grade at E. Russell Hicks Middle School.

Keleigh Stonebreaker/Sabrina McElroy: Keleigh was matched to Sabrina on August 4, 2008. Sabrina attends E. Russell Hicks Middle School. She is in the 6th grade.

Jennifer Abel/Victoria Billman: Jennifer met her Little Sister, Victoria, on August 22, 2008. Jennifer works at Michael’s Arts & Crafts Store as a Sales Associate. Victoria is in the 5th grade at Eastern Elementary School.

Susan Norris/Lachrishia Ross: Susan and Lachrishia met on September 5th. Susan is the owner of PC Experts and Lachrishia is in the 8th grade at E. Russell Hicks Middle School.

Mark Feiser/Kwinton Faith: Mark and Kwinton met on September 10, 2008. Mark is employed with Brewer Associates as a Manufacturing Sales Representative. Kwinton attends Old Forge Elementary School and is in the 3rd grade.

Shawn Maginnis/Arron Thompson: Shawn and Arron were first matched in the School-Based Mentoring program at E. Russell Hicks on January 3, 2008 and transferred to Community-Based on September 24th. Shawn is an Account Representative for Hagemeyer North America and Arron is in the 7th grade.

POTPOURRI

Our sympathy goes to former School-Based Mentor, Ron Keyser, and his wife, Big Sister Cathy Keyser, on the death of Ron's mother, Virginia Keyser.

We would like to congratulate Big Brother, Steve Frame, and his wife Ingrid, on the birth of their son, Jebediah Richard on June 28, 2008.

Congratulations to School-Based Mentor, Jessica McCollum, on the birth of her daughter, Emily.

THANK YOU!!!

We would like to thank Sara Ann & William Godwin for the donation of an HP Photosmart printer to the agency.

We would like to thank the Washington County Gaming Commission for their generous grant which willhelp fund our School-Based Mentoring program.

School-Based Mentoring

The 2008/2009 school year has begun!! We are very excited to be continuing our program in the Washington County Public Schools. This year will mark another milestone for the program as we have just added our seventh school, Salem Avenue Elementary School.

The agency would like to thank those mentors who are continuing to participate in the mentoring program this school year. There is still a great need for more volunteers to help out in the schools. You only have to give 45-60 minutes per week for the 9 month school year in order to make a positive impact in the life of a child in need of support. Wouldn’t you like to be that special someone who helps a child experience success? The effects are everlasting! If you are interested in becoming a School-Based Mentor, or know someone who is interested, please contact Tracy at 301-739-4711. We are looking forward to having another successful school year.

BBBS Welcomes New Executive Director

We would like to welcome Alecha Sanbower to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Alecha is the agency’s new Executive Director as of August 11, 2008.

Alecha graduated from American University in Washington, DC with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, and from Shippensburg University with a Master’s degree in Administration of Justice. Her background includes managing grants and programs for children and families, providing and overseeing prevention education programs for children and youth, and serving as an adjunct faculty member for local colleges. Over the past ten years, Alecha has gained significant experience in the human services and justice fields. Alecha lives in Waynesboro, PA, with her husband and daughter.

We are very excited to have Alecha on board and we hope all of you welcome her into the agency. We believe her motivating and enthusiastic personality will be a true asset to the Big Brothers Big Sisters agency and its mission.