Wade on Birmingham

MLK Day spotlight: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham

By

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham, William Bell

Birmingham mayor William Bell meets several “Littles”
at Glen Iris Elementary School during a Big Brothers Big Sisters
of Greater Birmingham media conference.

In honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, I want to turn the spotlight on one of my favorite Birmingham nonprofit organizations …

I’ve worked with a few nonprofit organizations in Birmingham over the years. But the group I spent the most time with was Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham. As a member of the junior board for 5 years, I recruited volunteers, raised money, organized events and helped the agency get the word out.

Many of you are likely familiar with the core program: matching adult mentors with children who need quality time in their lives. The commitments start at a year, but many “Bigs” in the program stick around with their “Littles” for years afterward. Bigs can take their Littles to fun events, to parks and arcades, but the most important thing Bigs do? Listen.

Surprising how that simple act can make such a major difference in a child’s life.

But one point I made over and over to potential volunteers was that Big Brothers Big Sisters need mentors in other programs, too. An interested adult could recruit her company to match up with a school to provide an hour a week per child on campus throughout the school year.

Though the needs of the agency continue to be more volunteers and more donations, it was interesting to me that they always needed more men to step forward. Another challenge was that the agency needed to reach more girls who might be interested in having a mentor, but not know how easy it was to enroll in the program, all for free.

If you’re interested in helping a really great cause and want to know you’re making an immediate positive contribution to Birmingham, I encourage you to take a look at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham. You have so many options on how you can help, but the first step is to get in touch with them at (205) 939-5590 or e-mailing chief executive officer Sue Johnson at sjohnson@bbbsbhm.org.

Video: Big Brothers Big Sisters … start something.

3 Yips for “MLK Day spotlight: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham”

  1. Jimmy
    Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 6:48 am
    1

    You are so right Wade. This is a wonderful organization and I have seen first hand the great things it can do. The young people “Littles” that come out of the organization have a much better outlook on life and can be production citizens in our community. I have had one work for me and she was very special.

  2. Tweets that mention Wade on Birmingham » MLK Day spotlight: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham -- Topsy.com
    Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 3:13 pm
    2

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Wade Kwon, BBBS of Greater Bham. BBBS of Greater Bham said: http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2011/01/17/mlk-day-spotlight-big-brothers-big-sisters-of-greater-birmingham/ […]

  3. Wade Kwon
    Friday, January 21, 2011, 4:12 pm
    3

    Thanks, Jimmy!

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