Twenty-five years ago, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Macomb (now BBBS of McDonough and Warren counties) launched to provide mentorship to area youth. Join BBBS staff and volunteers at a special open house Oct. 8 to celebrate the organization's silver anniversary.
The event will take place at Macomb's Big Brothers Big Sisters Office, 1401 W. University Dr., beginning at 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 8. Complimentary appetizers and beverages will be served. An awards and recognition program will take place at 5:30 p.m. The open house will run through 7 p.m.
'The event not only helps showcase the organization's success and history, it serves as a way to further build a volunteer- base for the local organization,' said BBBS Director Sarah Baca. 'It also demonstrates community support to the children who take part in BBBS.
Currently, there are 43 children, ages six to 18, involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of McDonough and Warren counties. Children are paired with a 'Big,' a volunteer who spends time with a child (or children) and serves as a role model and mentor. Baca stressed that more 'Bigs' are always needed to provide critical one-on-one time with the students they serve.
For more information, email [email protected]. To RSVP for the open house, visit tinyurl.com/mr3trbwx or call (309) 837-5437.
Becoming a Big
BBBS offers a one-on-one mentoring relationship to local children with screened community members that are matched according to interests and personality.
'The matches spend time together out in the community or meet at the child's school for lunch/recess,' Baca explained. 'Many of our matches decide to spend their time together enjoying the local parks, movies, hiking and attending WIU events, among other activities.'
Persons interested in learning more about becoming a Big, or getting a Big for a child or guardian, should complete an interest form at bbbsmv.org/ or email [email protected].
About BBBS-Macomb BBBS-Macomb began Oct. 1, 2000, after receiving a $40,000 grant from the federal government and partial funding from the City of Macomb to start a local BBBS program. That same year, Tim Hallinan was named the first director, and five years later, BBBS of the Mississippi Valley (Davenport, IA) incorporated the local office and BBBS Macomb became a satellite office. Hallinan served as director until June 30, 2008.
Pete Tarantola was named the director in 2014 and served until his passing in October 2019. Baca, who took over as director in March 2020, started working for BBBS as an AmeriCorps Vista Volunteer in March 2018 after first speaking to Tarantola about becoming a Big Sister.
In January 2021, BBBS-Macomb moved from its offices in the McDonough County Housing Authority Office at Prairieview to the St. Francis Newman Center, 1401 University Drive. The Macomb chapter is 100 percent community-funded through donations and such events as Bowl for Kids' Sake and the annual Plant Sale.
