Volunteering to guide our community's children

Patrick and Julie Stowe always wanted to be youth mentors so shortly after they got married, they signed up together at Big Brothers Big Sisters.  It's been nearly four years since Julie and Patrick were matched with Chase Valentine, then 6, and what began as a Big Brothers Big Sisters match is now more like family.

"At first, Chase was so young and shy that he called Julie and me 'big brother' and 'big sister' because he couldn't even remember our names," said Patrick Stowe.  Now Chase and Julie and Patrick have what Patrick calls a very "trusting, open and fun relationship," and they get together almost every weekend - sometimes more if Chase has a game.

The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is to assist young people in reaching their full potential by matching them with a caring adult volunteer.  That "caring adult volunteer" can help in one of two different capacities.  Community-based volunteers, like Patrick and Julie, make a one-year commitment to regularly spend time with a child.  Site volunteers, go to one of the 11 schools in the region that partner with BBBS to spend an hour or so a week reading, working on a project, playing games or just eating lunch and talking with a child.

"It's a serious commitment to be a Big Brother or a Big Sister," said Sandy Milliken, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters.  "But it's a commitment to a child who very much needs the support for that period of time"

"Though our children come from all walks of life, the similarity most of them share is being in a single parent home, and Continue . . .

Volunteering to be a good community partner

This spring, hundreds of volunteers will be out serving the community.  But they haven't been mobilized through volunteer agencies.  Their employers have provided the opportunity. 

Comcast and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield are two regional companies that are not only contributing philanthropic dollars to the community, they are also organizing teams of employees to volunteer.

Comcast officials say volunteering has a positive impact on the company by raising employee morale and improving workplace satisfaction.  Through its corporate volunteer program (Comcast Cares), Comcast not only sponsors a national day of community service for employees, it also encourages individual and team volunteer projects like running book drives, quarterly blood drives, participating in Junior Achievement, and reading at children's hospitals. 

For Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Joy Bechtold, community relations coordinator, says that these engagement opportunities help Anthem's employees "step outside of the corporate concerns and help others."  Bechtold said, "Volunteering gives us an opportunity to focus on what matters most and keeps us grounded in the community."

Research supports the corporate philosophies of Comcast and Anthem and other companies ramping up Continue . . .

Spotlight

Message from the CEO

Dear Valued Donor:

In honor of National Volunteer Week, we want to recognize the commitment and dedication of our amazing volunteers. 

From our employee campaign managers who help raise much needed dollars to our action council volunteers who help direct those dollars toward the best community solutions to our volunteer board of directors that leads this organization, our volunteers are United Way.  We could not do our work without their time, energy and expertise.     

And to all of you who spend some time in volunteer service, we can't thank you enough for all you do to make this region such a wonderful place.

Sincerely,

Sherrie L. Brach, CEO

How To  . . .

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