Big & Little News

 1.  Thank you to everyone who participated in the 7th Annual Golf Invitational at Manor Golf Course on August 15th.  There were 14 teams competing...and the team from BMC (Beard Miller Company) took top honors.  This year's event was sponsored in part by Stevens & Lee, BMC, the law firm of Kent & McBride, and Giorgio Mushrooms.  See our "Golf Outing" page for more.

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2.  Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berks County is pleased to participate in the Western Berks Family Expo.  The event takes place on Saturday, September 6th, from 10 am to 2 pm at Conrad Weiser Middle School in Robesonia.  Sponsored by State Representative Jim Cox, the Western Berks Family Expo will feature informational tables for various agencies/organizations serving the region.

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3.  It was another successful year for the annual Bowl For Kids' Sake!  Led by Sovereign Bank (21 teams) and the Governor Mifflin Education Association (12 teams), more than 125 bowling teams participated in the 26th annual event at Bowl-O-Rama on April 5th & 6th.  See our BFKS page for more.  In the meantime, mark your calendards...the 27th Annual Bowl For Kids' Sake has been tentatively set for April 4th & 5th, 2009!!

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4.  You can now donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters on-line using PayPal or major credit cards!  Simply click on the DONATE link above and follow the instructions.

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6.  BBBS of Berks has again been approved as an E.I.T.C. eligible agency.  Corporations approved for Pennsylvania E.I.T.C. (Educational Improvement Tax Credit) program, you can help Big Brothers Big Sisters too.  BBBS of Berks is an approved EITC agency.  Several companies have already contributed EITC funding in 2008 including:  National Penn Bank, Capital Blue Cross (Capital Advantage Insurance Company), and Sovereign Bank.  If YOUR company is EITC-eligible, please consider Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berks County as your choice.  Call 610-373-5544 for details.

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7. AIG and the Reading Phillies again teamed up this year to help Big Brothers Big Sisters.  AIG and the R-Phils presented agency Executive Director Jim Smith with a $2,500 check before the August 27th R-Phils game.  Our appreciation also goes out to Carpenter Technology and Highmark Blue Shield!  Both corporations are helping to fund our mentoring programs in 2008.  Find out how your company can also help by claling 610-373-5544 or email Executive Director Jim Smith at JimS@BigsInBerks.org

BRIEF OVERVIEW:

Established in 1968, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berks County, PA, is celebrating 40 years of service to the Berks County community.  Each year, we serve over 300 children -- primarily from single-parent households -- providing them with more than 22,000 hours of supervised mentoring services!

Our mission is to foster positive and measurable growth for at-risk youth, including a strengthened sense of self-worth, development of character, and improved relationships & performance at home, in school, and throughout the community.  We achieve our goal through four mentoring programs utilizing carefully-screened and trained volunteers.

Children serviced include ages 8-19 (with applications taken up to and including 15 years old).

For volunteers, flexibility is the key!  They can choose between our various mentoring programs based on their available time, location, experiences, and more.

For more information, please review the "ELIGIBILITY" and "GETTING STARTED!" book marks or contact the agency at:

Telephone: 610-373-5544
Fax: 610-373-5530
Email us at: email@bigsinberks.org

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS of Berks County, PA
303 Windsor Street,
Centre Park
Reading, PA 19601

And remember... "Little Time = BIG Rewards!"