|
Congratualtions to the BBBSCO 2010 BIG of the Month Award Recipients!
These mentors have provided a positive example for their mentees going above and beyond their friendships to ensure a happy, healthy and successful relationship. We applaud you as volunteers and appreciate all that you do. Thank you!
 ~MAY~ Ana Baltazar
Ana Baltazar is our Big Sister of the month for May and is also the winner of the NOVA Youth Volunteer Award of the Year. Ana has been serving as a Big Sister in our School Based program since September 2009 and visits two Little’s weekly at different times!
The Culver High School Counselor, Kevan Pratt, feels Ana is worthy of recognition as she challenges herself academically, keeps her grades up and participates in after school activities along with her dedication to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. While the Culver Elementary Counselor, Jen Hume, states that “Ana is our most dependable Big, mentoring her little’s on a consistent and regular basis. Her dedication and heart for children makes her stand out from her peers.”
Congratulations Ana, thank you for serving Jefferson County and making a positive difference in the lives of two children. Your time and efforts will cause a ripple effect of positive changes in our community and we are happy and honored to have your dedicated participation in the Jefferson County Big Brothers Big Sisters School Based Program. THANK YOU!!
~ January ~
Michele Bechtold was chosen as the Big of the Month for January. She has been matched with Little Sister, Amber for over 2 years. During that time they have spent time cutting down a Christmas tree, getting ice cream, making cookies, swimming at the Madras Aquatic Center, going to the High Desert Museum, going snowshoeing, enjoying Prineville – the park, the Courthouse, the fair, and just hanging out together! Being in middle school, Amber has a lot going on and she reports that “Michele’s nice, she calls and makes sure that everything’s okay”. Michele is consistent and caring in her contact and commitment to Amber which has helped their relationship grow. Amber says, “I like her personality because she’s fun and kind and wonderful!” From all of us at Big Brothers Big Sisters in Central Oregon, Thank You, for your dedication!
~February~
Charlene Loughlin, who works for the Jefferson County 509J School District and teaches at Warm Springs Elementary, has been mentoring Michael since May of 2009. During this time the two have gone hiking, biking, have planted a garden, been swimming, and bowling. Charlene reports that Michael really wanted a bike and she was able to find him a second hand one, which they worked on and repainted together. One day, I was in a local store and I saw Michael with his mother. He had something in his hand and wanted to show it to me. It was a rock that had “Friends” written on it. I asked what he was going to do with it and he excitedly told me he was going to give it to his Big Sister Charlene for their garden. Charlene took Michael to The Cove this summer to join BBBS for the In His Wakes activity. Michael had never gotten in the water before this event. After the event, Charlene reported the following “Thank you for putting on such a wonderful event. Michael and I had a blast. Spending the day playing at the Cove with the "little brother" was an amazing time. We inner tubed, boogey boarded, tried to ski, played on the water trampoline, fished, all while a band played musicGreat ministry for kids. Michael and I loved it! He got in the water for the first time in his life. God is good! What an awesome, fun, and blessed day.. It was a great event for the kids. Michael and I loved it. He got in the water for the first time in his life. He overcame his fear and got on the inner tube with me and another gentleman and had fun. In fact, he wanted to go again. What an awesome day.” Thank You Charlene for all that you have given to Michael!
~March~
On March 16th, Little Sister Odessa and Match Support Specialist Melanie Price made a surprise visit to the home of Don and Shannon Bauhofer to present Shannon with an award for the March Big of the Month. Shannon was definitely stunned by the home invasion, but quickly became overwhelmed with joy and the satisfaction of being recognized for her tremendous efforts as a Big Sister. Shannon, who is a the mother of three beautiful grown daughters, and Odessa, who was 11 years old when Shannon first came into her life, have been matched up since December 3, 2007. It didn’t take long for Shannon’s vibrant, positive energy and warm, thoughtful personality to win over the affection of the then shy Odessa. This Big and Little duo are the best of friends and not a week goes by that they don’t spend several hours together. They enjoy swimming and using the climbing wall at the Athletic Club, making meals together, going on bike rides, and have been on many exciting adventures together such as spending a weekend at a guest ranch in Bly, Oregon where they rode horses and rowed around a lake, and rafting the upper Deschutes River. Odessa and Shannon compared their heights on the day Shannon received her award, and with less than an inch to go, Odessa joked that soon she will be the Big Sister!
|
2010 Big of the Month 