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Big Brothers/Big Sisters Association of Cincinnati proudly held its 95th Annual Meeting at the Five Seasons Country Club on Sunday June 5th. Board President, Greg Miller presented the Mel Schulman Award to Lisa Hacker. The Mel Schulman Award was established in 1994 to honor a board member who exemplifies the dedication for children's welfare. Lisa has served on the Big Night Out committee is the chair for the 2005 Big Night Out event, has served on the group activities committee and on the program committee. Her passionate commitment to the mission of Big Brothers/Big Sisters is evident in all she does.

The year's recipient of the Warren J. Heldman Award for the Big Brother/Big Sister of the Year was given to Sally Korkin. Sally has been a Big Sister to Rita Bykova for 7 years whose friendship has made a significant impact on her life. Sally, Development Director at Cedar Village, became a Big Sister as an empty nester. Sally is also a prior Board member of our agency. This is the 21st year for this award established by the grandchildren of Mr. Heldman, a past president, a prior Big Brother and an original signer of the Articles of Incorporation.

2005 saw co-award winners receiving the Betty R. Goldberg Community Service Award established in 1998. The Betty Goldberg Award was established in 1999 to recognize the good deeds and acts of kindness performed of our Littles. Both of the award winners will be receiving a $1000 US Savings Bond.

Deanna Rosen, began a pet therapy program at Meadowbrook Care Center. She has brought her dog Sassy to visit the residents once a week for the past 2 years. According to the volunteer supervisor, the residents look forward to her visits. Deanna is also been a strong supporter of Big Brothers/Big Sisters She has participated in the Bowl For Kids Sake Bowl-a-thon. She is a member of the student assistance council at Sycamore High School and is President of the Random Acts of Kindness Club at the school. Deanna will be attending UC Raymond Walters in the fall.

Rita Bykova was nominated for her work with the elderly at Cedar Village. Rita, born in Belarus, speaks fluent Russian. She is able to assist many of the elderly Russian residents with information and translating when needed. Rita has also befriended a woman suffering with Alzheimer's. Her visits bring smiles and conversations. Rita has been able to notify the nursing staff when she notices differences in the woman's behavior. Rita is such a part of this woman's life the woman's children attended her graduation from Kings High School. She has volunteered in other capacities at Cedar Village and has offered to deliver the collected clothes by her class to the Salvation Army. Rita will be attending UC Raymond Walters in the fall to study nursing. Both recipients received a savings bond of $500. Jordan Wayne received an honorable mention award for his community service at Holocaust CenterHUC.

The agency bestowed special certificates to Amanda Pettis, Stan and Hope Bard, Noah Biro and Jennifer Manning for their years of service mentoring children. Also, a special recognition was awarded to Judi Taibleson and Debbye Williams for the many years of caring and concern bestowed on their Littles who are graduating from High School this year and leaving our mentoring programs.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters elected the new executive officers for 2006. We congratulate Ben Schneider, President, Seth Klugherz, Vice President, Lisa Hacker, secretary and Chase Kohn as treasurer with Greg Miller serving as past president. The 2006 board of trustees are Shelli Belillti, Bonnie Rib, Joel Fogel, Howard Goldwasser, Joel Kling, Barbara Mandell, Greg Meyers, Sharon Nelson, Jack Rosen, Bob Rubin, Jack Rubin, Sid Saewitz, Len Segal, Scott Slovin, Ken Weiss.

This year a special certificate was presented to Ed Aub and Hank Schneider. Hank was matched to Ed 50 years ago. They have remained friends long past the end of the match program. Hank shared with us several memories of time spent with Ed as a Little Brother. He stated they did not just have a relationship, they were friends. Only 9 years separated the two.

On a sadder note, two previous Littles were remembered at our annual meeting. Ed Krauss passed away from cancer after a 2-year battle. Daniel Freeman was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan in April. BB/BS is the oldest Jewish Agency providing love, support and guidance to the Jewish youth in our community. The mission of is to support the development of responsible, productive, self-fulfilled individuals by providing professionally supported, one-to-one, adult child mentoring relationships and other related social services.