BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE OCEAN STATE RECEIVES $10,000 FROM BALISE TOYOTA

CRANSTON, RI – Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State (BBBSOS) is pleased to announce a generous donation made by Balise Toyota of Warwick. BBBSOS received a $5,000 grant from Balise Toyota of Warwick and a $5,000 matching grant from the Toyota Dealer Match Program. “This is the second year in a row that Balise has so generously supported our mentoring programs. We are very grateful for their partnership,” said Katje Fuson, Director of Development at BBBSOS. BBBSOS’ mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. The non-profit organization currently serves more than 500 children throughout Rhode Island. “We serve hundreds of children every year and our list of children waiting for a mentor continues to grow and now has more than 200 young people still waiting for a mentor,” said Fuson.

Donations such as the grant from Balise Toyota of Warwick allow BBBSOS to continue the work they do providing children with one-on-one mentoring relationships and providing mentoring pairs with free to low cost activities such as the annual BBBSOS’ Holiday Party. General Manager Michael O’Connell said, “At Balise we feel it’s important to give back to the community. The Toyota Dealer Match Program allows us to really ramp up our donation in a more meaningful way. Having participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters Holiday Party last year, I saw first-hand what a difference this makes.” BBBSOS’ annual holiday party is an amazing way for the hundreds of Big Brothers and Big Sisters and their Little Brothers and Little Sisters to experience the holiday season. The holiday party draws attention to a variety of world cultures with unique crafts and performances. “The grant from Balise will also support our Holiday Help Program where we provide support to children and families in our program around holiday gift giving and meals,” said Fuson. “The holidays can be very stressful on a family who is working hard to make ends meet. Through our Holiday Help Program we are able to go beyond mentoring and provide additional support to the entire family.”

Balise Toyota’s generous donation will also help to continue to ensure the safety of the children in our mentoring programs. Each mentor that is interviewed goes through a three tiered background check through Hire Image as well as a RI DMV safety background check, all of which is done by BBBSOS at no cost to the mentor. Deb Saunders, Executive Director of BBBSOS said, “We are so grateful for Balise’s continued generosity. We want to make sure that our mentors are given the tools they need to be able to have a fun, safe and successful experience throughout their mentoring relationship. This is an experience that should cost our volunteers nothing. We are already asking them to give their time, which is what is most valuable to the children in our programs.”

To become a mentor to one of the 200+ boys and girls still waiting for someone to be the change in their life, visit www.BBBSOS.org or call 401.921.2434 and begin the simple and convenient application process today!