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From the Executive Director
Our 21st Annual Bowl For Kids' Sake was a "Big"
success! Many thanks to all who planned and
participated in this fun-filled day. Kudos to our BFKS
Committee Co-chairs, Len Segal and Seth
Klugherz.
The caring and friendship you show for our kids
means so much. On behalf of the officers, board and
staff members of our agency, we wish you a happy
belated Easter, a joyous Passover and a sunny, warm
spring.
Warm regards,
Jeff Gushin
| Bowl For Kids' Sake |
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Two hundred people filled the lanes at Madison
Bowl
for our 21st Annual Bowl for Kids' Sake (BFKS)
on
Sunday, March 13. This afternoon of fun knocked
down bowling pins while raising money for our
children. Adults and kids alike shared smiles, laughter
and lots of high fives.
Many UC football players and coaches took the
time
to bowl with the kids, sign autographs, and visit with
bowlers. Our 2005 Honorary Chair, Head Coach Mark
Dantonio said, "We try to tell our players it's a
privilege to play at the University of Cincinnati, that
you've got to give something back to the community
and this is just one of the things we're trying to
do." Congratulations to Gail Pryse who won an
official UC
football helmet autographed by the UC coaches and
team members!
Fox 19's Jack Atherton emceed his
10th Bowl-a-thon
while MOJO
94.9FM DJ's Luna Man and Laura Powell
kept the ball rolling with music. The barbershop
quartet "Smooth Transitions" performed in perfect
harmony.
All registered bowlers received a 2005 BFKS t-shirt
and lots won prizes thanks to
generous donations from Max and
Erma's. Many
thanks to the bowlers, company teams, and
corporate supporters who participated in BFKS. A
special thank you goes to our sponsors: Max &
Erma's, MOJO
94.9FM,
UC Bearcats, Just Saab,
Brookwood Retirement Community, Suburban Pediatric Associates,
Architectural
Group International, Circle
Storage,
Watson's,
Modern Office
Methods, Circle Home Theater and Cohen
Brothers. The UC
College
of Pharmacy coed fraternity, Kappa Psi,
provided lots
of working helpers before, during and after the
bowl.
It's not too late to donate! Or interested in
volunteering to help plan the
2006 event? Contact Pat at (513) 761-3200 or email
her at
pat@bigbrobigsis.org
Click here for more
photos of the 2005 Bowl!
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| Remembering Daniel |
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Daniel, a "Little" who completed our program,
recently perished in a helicoptor crash in Afganistan.
Steve, his "Big", shares his thoughts with us.
"It was almost ten years ago that I was
introduced
to Daniel. He was about 11, having some of the
typical problems an 11 year old has at school and at
home. He needed a friend, a guide, a brother.
Daniel
and I became close friends.....truly brothers, in fact.
I guided him through some of the tougher years of
his
life, and he helped me through the tough times of a
rigorous surgical residency. I gained as much from
the experience as he.
He was on my first date with
my wife and me. I married 5 years later and Daniel
was in the wedding, and soon became a part of both
of our families. There wasn't much that went on in
my life without thinking about him. Daniel's grades
improved, I think his relationship with his family
improved, and he became a man before my eyes. A
real man with a heart that could fill the room. Daniel
was like a sponge, eager to learn and readily taking
advice.....about everything but one issue. His
career.
Daniel wanted to be in the
military....infantry. He was a sharp kid with a lot of
drive, and I really tried my best early on to move him
away from that. At the time, I thought it was some
misdirected anger. I was wrong. It was a real
passion.....and he pursued it with his heart. I moved
to Oregon with my wife and Daniel did one of those
outdoor adventures for a week up in the Cascades
with a bunch of kids. He was maturing so quickly,
and spoke more of the military. I listened, gave my
opinion and before I knew it he was parachuting into
Iraq on a special forces team. We kept in touch by
e-mail when possible, and I worried about him
constantly. I obsessed over the news, always
fearing the worst.
His mom called me late last week.
Daniel's helicopter went down.....everyone is dead,
but he and another are missing. I figured he dragged
himself out of there and made it. Classic denial. She
then told me they had found his remains. The denial
went on, but hit me like a truck this morning, and I'm
sickened. This really was my little brother. This was
more than a friendship. I've never had a
brother.....and I still don't. I couldn't wait for him to
meet my new little boy, my son Noah. Daniel is gone
and I wanted to thank you for the experience and
the little brother I will never forget. I'm sure Daniel
would feel the same."
Our deepest condolences go out to Daniel's
family. May his memory be for a blessing.
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| Next Group Activity Floats! |
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Thanks to an anonymous donor, our kids will be riding
on a riverboat while enjoying refreshments and lots
of other surprises. Mark your calendars for
Sunday, July 31, 2005 at 3:00 pm to
participate in this activity. Call
Grace or Margie for more info: (513) 761-3200 or
e-mail them at
margie@bigbrobigsis.org
or
grace@bigbrobigsis.org.
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| Bigs in Schools a Big Success |
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Our "Bigs in Schools" program meets just
once a
week
at a local school, but this small amount of time
makes
a big impact. To quote one parent, "My daughter
LOVES the sessions with her "Big" - she even saves
her best shirts to wear on Tuesdays."
"Bigs" give extra homework help, play games and
just
hang-out with the students. The results are a long-
lasting friendship and "the building of a child's
sense
of pride, accomplishment and self-confidence"
says
Grace Lehrer, MSW and "Bigs in Schools" Program
coordinator.
For more information about how you can become
a
school "Big" or about how your child can participate
in
this program, please contact Jeff Gushin, Executive
Director, at (513) 761-3200, or email him
at
jeff@bigbrobigsis.org
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| BB/BS Annual Meeting |
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Be sure to join us for our annual meeting on
Sunday,
June 5, 2005 at 10:00 am. We convene at the
Five
Seasons Country Club for an agency update,
installation of officers and a delicious brunch. Watch
your mail for an invitation. For more details: (513)
761-3200 or
info@bigbrobigsis.org
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What is a Wish List? |
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A wish
list consists of luxuries and necessities that
are beyond the scope of our budget. In other words,
we wish that you or someone you know would
donate
an item on our wish list to us. We'd like it to be new,
but gently used is acceptable, too. You can
help our wishes come true with the following:
- Digital Camera
- Letter Folding Machine
- Two-Drawer File Cabinet
- Small Office Credenzas
- Software Upgrades & Training
Remember, all donations are tax-deductible. Call
Pat with any questions or to arrange a pick-up time:
(513) 761-3200 or email pat@bigbrobigsis.org
Many thanks!
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Our Partners
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