Big Brothers Big Sisters Asks You to 'Be There Now!'

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri (BBBS) launched a brand new campaign aiming to recruit 600 new volunteers in six months. "Be There Now" is calling on all of the organization's dedicated supporters to help to generate awareness among their friends and colleagues or become Big Brothers or Big Sisters themselves. 

With more than 1,000 children waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister, there’s never been a better time than now to get involved. The impact of having a mentor is incredibly powerful, yet the requirements to become one are easier than you might think: 

• You must be 18 or older 
• You must have reliable transportation and car insurance
• You must be willing to spend 4 to 6 hours a month with your Little for a year or more.  

The Littles—the children who need a mentor—merely seek quality time with their Bigs, and activities can range anywhere from playing catch at the park to going to the movies together.

BBBS recognizes that most of these children come from single parent families, and would love nothing more than an extra role model in their life—more importantly, a trusted friend.  Serving children all over the St. Louis Metropolitan area, St. Louis County, Cape Girardeau and St. Charles, BBBS is calling on our communities to provide that extra support and encouragement that these children are asking for, and the time for action is now!

Seeking partnerships with both individuals and companies, BBBS of Eastern Missouri has made sure that potential partners have everything they need to get the word out, including posters, videos, talking points and more in their toolkit. 

For more information on how to become a Big Brother or Big Sister, or to get your company or organization involved, call Vivian Gibson or Jeremy Lieb at 314-361-5900 today! Also, be sure to visit Big Brothers Big Sisters on the web at www.bbbsemo.org.

Editor's Note: "Patch" has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri to help them get the word out about their volunteer recruitment effort. This column, which will run weekly on Sundays, will explain the role of a Big Brother or Big Sister, talk about the impact the relationship has on a child's life and more.