One of my favorite ways to give to our communities!

 

One of my favorite ways of volunteering.......

 Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tri-State

Not Just a Good Cause. A Great Business Partner.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the nation’s leading youth mentoring organization that aims to reach local children who need a positive adult role model in their lives. Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States. Through the programs offered, children create long-term relationships that have a positive impact on their lives.

In 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America was founded by Ernest Coulter, a court clerk from New York City. The Big Brothers Big Sisters mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors. The organization’s vision is to fulfill successful mentoring relationships for all children who need and want them, contributing to brighter futures, better schools, and stronger communities for all. Children ages 6 through 18 have an opportunity to participate in Big Brothers Big Sisters programs across the country.

Big Brothers Big Sisters offers two programs focused on friendship, guidance, and companionship: a community-based and a school-based program. In both programs, a child (called a "little") is assigned a mentor (called a "big") based on similar interests and personalities. Mentoring is provided through a one-on-one basis; one volunteer to one child. Married couples and families have an opportunity to mentor a child together through the Couples and Family Match programs.

In the community-based program, "bigs" take their "littles" to participate in activities in the community. Activities can include a wide variety of events based on the "big/little’s" interest. "Bigs" are encouraged to take their "little" to inexpensive events because the program is focused on building friendships. Volunteers are asked to spend at least 3 to 4 hours with their child at least two times a month.

The school-based mentoring program is based at local public schools. In this program, "bigs" and "littles" work together on homework and reading. "Bigs" meet with their "littles" during the student’s lunch period or a non-essential class at least once a week.

You may be asking yourself, what can my business do to help? Volunteerism has proven to be a smart business strategy for many companies. Volunteerism strengthens the community, increases employee engagement and performance, improves the public image, and provides partnership opportunities.

"Businesses who allow their employees to volunteer see greater productivity and a better work attitude from their employees," Patti Price, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tri-State, said. "The employee feels the employer is behind their volunteer efforts and supports them."

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tri-State has been serving children in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio since 1974. In West Virginia, the organization serves children in Cabell and Wayne counties. The organization was founded through the initiative of a small group of local citizens concerned with children in single-parent homes. Through the community-based and school-based programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tri-State serves approximately 150 children each year.

"Volunteerism comes and goes with the economy," Price said. "When the country is not doing well economically, Big Brother Big Sisters finds itself in need of volunteers. Often people are too worried about their own well-being to volunteer."

Through the school-based program, companies can help by giving their employees one hour per week of time off to mentor a child. Big Brothers Big Sisters staff make the program as convenient as possible for companies who are willing to make the commitment.

In West Virginia, Big Brothers Big Sisters has offices in Charleston, Huntington, Martinsburg, Morgantown and Wheeling. If you are interested in becoming a big brother or big sister please consider contacting an office near you! There is an ongoing need with children always waiting on the waiting list.

Find a location near you: Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central West VirginiaServing Kanawha and Putnam Counties
325 Sixth Avenue, Suite 101; South Charleston, WV 25303
304-146-7900
www.littlemomentsbigmagic.com
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tri State
Serving Cabell and Wayne Counties
501 5th Ave. Suite 3; Huntington, WV 25701
304-522-2191
pprice@bbbstristate.org
www.bbbstristate.org 
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern PanhandleServing Berkley, Morgan and Jefferson
117 N. Queen Street; Martinsburg, WV 25401 304-263-5522
bbbswv@yahoo.com
www.bbbswv.org
 Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Central West Virginia
Serving Harrison, Marion, Monongalia & Preston Counties
500 Mylan Park, Suite 2; Morgantown, WV 26501
304-983-2383 x 104
bigs4kids@bbbs-ncwv.org
www.bbbs-ncwv.org

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upper Ohio Valley
Serving Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel, and Tyler Counties
3539 Jacob Street; Wheeling, WV 26003
304-232-0520
Skemp@bbbsupperohiovalley.org

Live Healthy

Are you aware of just how powerful you are? You have the power to stop a killer. And you don’t need to become a kung fu master or undercover agent to do it. All you have to do is adopt a few simple habits that’ll put you on the road to a heart healthy lifestyle.

How to Prevent Heart Disease

Do you take care of your family? Goes without saying. Do you take care of your home? Of course. Do you take care of your heart? Probably not.
It may not be at the top of most women’s to-do lists, but caring for your heart through a healthy diet and regular physical activity is the secret weapon to preventing heart disease. While many may assume that popping a few pills that your healthcare provider prescribed is enough to quell symptoms or prevent a heart attack, the real preventative power lies with real changes to your lifestyle – which can reduce the risk for heart disease by as much as 80 percent.

Heart-Healthy Exercise

Exercising on a regular basis can sound great – in theory. But when it comes to actually doing it, are you among the many who will find anything and everything possible to occupy your time instead?
If every effort to embark on a new fitness plan ends with a new running shoes or exercise equipment that remain unused, it’s time to change your mindset. First of all, know you’re not alone. We all face this struggle; and the good news is that we can all conquer it. After all, you don’t have to workout like you’re training for a marathon to get your heart in great shape.
It can be as simple as walking briskly for just 30 minutes a day. And the housecleaning you did to procrastinate your workout? Believe it or not, that counts as exercise, too. You don’t have to go for an actual run to get a runner’s high. That rush you get at the sight of a gleaming bathroom counts too.
There are so many types of physical activity that can improve your cholesterol levels, lower your blood pressure and simply make you feel good.

This poem is dedicated to the men and women that have been building the most recent Habitat for Humanity House! Thank you.


Dedicated Hearts

Dedicated hearts like yours
Are not so easy to find.
It takes a special person to be
So generous and kind.

To care so much for your fellow man
Is a quality all too rare.
Yet you give of your time and talents,
For all in need to share.

So thank you for being a volunteer,
We're privileged to work with you.
We want you to know how appreciated you are,
Not just today, but the whole year through.

My Thoughts Today,

I am writing today in my own words about the tragic few days we have endured as a country.

The one absolute positive in every single story is how the VOLUNTEERS of each and every community hit by the sadness and loss and all communities across the nation, have been the one group of people that has given of their time so free and unselfishly.

Many Volunteers in West, Texas have lost their lives by helping others....
Who were the first people that ran to help the hurt and injured in Boston, the volunteers...

This is exactly why I have been a very active volunteer for over 25 years...The giving to others make you complete and whole.  If you have never volunteered, I implore you to get out in your community and find an organization that needs you, a school, a family, a church, a shelter....please.
Volunteering knows no age...I have 6 year old children who help with project at their school or church, and I have worked with hundreds of women volunteering into their 90's at hospitals...
Our world is definitely in need of strong communities...we build these through Volunteerism...
I send my prayers to all those hurt, suffering loss, and devastation.

Sincerely,
Meg Nicholas  

 

National Volunteer Week April 21-27, 2013

National Volunteer Week is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. It’s
about demonstrating to the nation that by working together,
we have the fortitude to meet our challenges and accomplish our goals.

This is the perfect opportunity for your organization and volunteers to seize the moment and share the national spotlight that National Volunteer Week deservedly receives. Simultaneously, you can leverage this brief window of national opportunity to advance your individual cause and promote volunteer commitment in your community.

HandsOn Network Action Centers are the central hub of volunteerism in their communities. This National Volunteer Week 2013 they will lead projects that put people at the center of change, host recognition and award ceremonies and find unique ways to celebrate the impact that service has made in their communities.

         Words of Encouragement For  Volunteers

 

Volunteers are one of the most important people in the world. These are people who have dedicated their lives to help others that are in need of help and love. The article below has a few words of encouragement for volunteers that you can utilize.

Volunteers must know that they are a blessing. They are love in motion. They bring hope to the hopeless, they bring smiles to the sad and they lift up spirits of those who are down.

Volunteers do not essentially have the time, they simply have the heart. No one is more appreciated in this world than a person who lightens the burden of others. Volunteers are encouraged to keep up the good work. They should know that kindness is the utmost wisdom.

I know that you will agree with me when I say that we are very proud of Volunteers. These people don’t get paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless. The work they do is so great that there is no price that will ever amount to it. You can go to alrtnet.org to see some of the work they have done.

Anytime they feel down they should see the smiles they put on other people’s faces. The hope they restore and the love they give to those that need it. They are selfless because they put the needs of others before theirs. They are angels wearing the disguise of normal people living normal lives. These are only some of the words of encouragement for volunteers.

I am certain that you will make good use of the words of encouragement for volunteers that I have mentioned above. Follow my blog and become a volunteer in your community.