A Message from Board Chair, Lori Barker

With the holidays fast approaching, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Halifax would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the role you have played in our success this past year. It's been busy and exciting! We've seen young people in our programs blossom, we've introduced many new matches, and we've experienced tremendous support for our fund raising campaigns and events. In the face of a difficult economic climate, we have managed to hold steady and we want to thank you for your support. For volunteer Bigs like me and the many others who are fortunate to be a part of a young person's life, it means a lot to know you are beside us on the journey. You are helping us deliver the programs we know make a big difference to these children.

On behalf of our Board of Directors and the Staff of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Halifax, have a safe and happy holiday season. May it be filled with the gift of friendship.

Click to help Big Brothers Big Sisters Receive up to $10,000 from Best Buy

This simple survey takes only 3 seconds (honestly). Just visit www.bestbuy.ca/vote and select Big Brothers Big Sisters to make your vote count, before December 22 at midnight! It's a quick way to make a big difference for an organization you support.

Bowl for Kids Sake Campaign Will Launch in the New Year

In early January 2010, Big Brothers Big Sisters will be kicking off our largest, annual fund raising campaign, Bowl for Kids Sake, presented by CTV and Nova Scotia Power. This year's theme is Superheroes, and during the campaign we'll be encouraging people to see the ways ordinary people can do extraordinary things, and reminding them that superheroes don't have to be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. You can be a superhero by fund raising to support programs for young people or by becoming a volunteer. Bowl for Kids Sake is a fun campaign that builds team spirit among friends and colleagues who join together with a common goal of helping kids. To participate, visit www.bowlforkids.ca or email bigbrothersbigsistershalifax.ca

10 Community Mentors Honoured at our Gala Event

On October 21, 2009, Big Brothers Big Sisters presented 10 Community Mentoring Awards to deserving individuals and businesses who recognize the impact of mentoring in their own lives, and who weave mentoring into everything they do. We encourage you to take a moment to read about our award recipients and think about the ways you can foster mentoring in your life.

Thanks to everyone who supported our annual Gala, and especially our corporate partners. Together we were able to raise over $43,000 to support mentoring programs for children in Greater Halifax. Visit our page to view the photo gallery and our sponsors.

Nature Calls Program

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Halifax has been partnering with CPAWS (Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society) to offer the 'Nature Calls' program to young people in our programs. The foundation of the program is to involve urban youth in wilderness experiences along with positive adult role models. In this setting, the challenges of everyday life fall away and allow the young people to be open to conversation and to 'be in the moment' of enjoying all that nature has to offer. Over 100 young people have been involved in the program over the past year, participating in many hikes and a camping trip to Kejimkujik National Park. They had lots of fun, and learned a lot along the way: about canoeing, wildlife, plant life and they even had the opportunity he listen to Mi'kmaw storytellers sharing the stories behind petro glyphs.

The Nature Calls program has been supported in part by Canadian Tire Jumpstart and other partners who donated funds and equipment to allow young people to enjoy the great outdoors! Visit our picture gallery to see the program in action.

Pacrim Hospitality Offers the Chance to Give Two Gifts for the Price of One!

If you are considering the purchase of gift cards this holiday season, check out the deal Pacrim Hospitality has to offer. It's an easy way to wrap up your shopping and support Big Brothers Big Sisters at the same time. Pacrim Hospitality owns a number of hotel properties in Canada and the US and a gift card would be great for someone who loves to travel, or for someone who deserves a little get-away.

GAP Volunteers Make a BIG Contribution

In 2009, volunteers from the local Gap stores stepped up to contribute more than 400 hours of volunteer time to help Big Brothers Big Sisters. For those of you who attended our events this past year, you likely encountered the Gap staffers on the golf course, in the bowling centre, at the gala event, at our September BBQ, or perhaps talked to them on the phone. They even helped us get holiday cards ready to send out to all of the Littles in our programs. We're extremely proud of these volunteers and the commitment they have to children in our community. Their efforts and exemplary customer service skills have been invaluable to our agency.

As a way to promote their employees getting involved in the local community, the Gap Foundation makes a donation to the organizations where staff volunteer. So, in addition to their help at all of our events and fund raisers, Gap employees in Greater Halifax have helped leverage nearly $25,000 in funding to Big Brothers Big Sisters in 2009. We think this is certainly something to celebrate!

BigBunch Groups Launched with New Training Format

This year, our agency revamped the training for our BigBunch programs that take place in three metro schools. The new training is designed to give students and adult Mentors the tools to run a successful program, while offering practical information about child development, child safety, communication, budgeting and fund raising. The feedback from the groups was unanimously positive, and the volunteers are ready to roll out a great program to serve children in their communities.

RBC

RBC recently renewed their annual commitment to give $2,000 to every Big Brothers Big Sisters agency in Atlantic Canada. Wendy Christmas, RBC Donation Coordinator, Public Affairs presented the cheques to agencies who were participating in a recent regional workshop in Dartmouth. This ongoing support has been very valuable to agencies in our region, and it also includes a commitment from RBC to support their employees to volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters. 

Clothing Donations

As you are making room in your closet for those Christmas gifts, remember Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Halifax accepts donations of gently used clothing, linens and household items. You can call 454-4025 for a free pick up of donations at your home, or can drop your donation in one of our bins throughout metro. Visit our ReNew Crew webpage for a complete list of bin locations.

Bluenose Marathon Charity Challenge

In 2010, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Halifax will be participating in the Bluenose Marathon Charity Challenge. The marathon events take place on the May long weekend, and we are recruiting people who would be interested in running as part of our 10 person team. The Past Chair of our Board of Directors, and Scotiabank Manager, Gerry Pettipas will be spear-heading the team for our agency. The Charity Challenge involves an online fund raising component where runners can solicit support for their efforts as a team member, with all donations going to their designated organization. If you are interested in getting involved, email bigbrothersbigsistershalifax.ca for details.

Message from the Executive Director, Carol Goddard

At the end of a calendar year, it seems we always reflect on the past year, celebrate the successes and examine the challenges. 2009 seems to have passed quickly, with lots taking place in our agency as you can see from the highlights above. All of the work we do is to support our volunteer mentors to make a positive impact on the lives of our Littles, and with this in mind, we have solid plans for 2010 that will allow us to continue to make a difference to the children who need our programs.

In the new year we will have a few changes to our staff team. Our Program Manager, Peggy Rennie will be leaving our agency after 23 years to accept a position with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. In her new role as Coordinator-Mentoring Partnerships and Service Delivery, Peggy will oversee and implement various national initiatives and programs. While she will be greatly missed by our agency for her commitment to making a difference for the children we serve, we congratulate her on this new opportunity. We are happy she will remain with the organization and will be sharing her talent and skills with agencies across the country.

Mentoring Coordinator, Nancy Webber has just returned to the agency after her maternity leave, and is leading our school-based programs. Mentoring Coordinator, Natasha Cook will be taking maternity leave early in the new year, and Jacqueline MacIntyre will be her replacement. We are pleased to welcome Shelley Penton to our Fund Development team. She will take on the role of Major Gifts Associate, and brings experience from her position with the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development, and experience as an entrepreneur herself.

So, while there are many changes afoot in the agency, our focus on the children we serve remains steadfast. Thank you for the part you have played in our success over the past year! On behalf of our Board of Directors, our Staff and the families we have the pleasure to serve, please accept our heartfelt wish for a safe and happy holiday season.