Latest News

McDonald's Provides Tickets to Niagara Falls Canucks Game!

Niagara Falls, Ontario—Niagara Falls McDonald’s Restaurants give 200 Canucks tickets to BBBS for the November 14th game against Fort Erie Meteors.

 

McDonald’s is a sponsor of both Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Programs and the Niagara Falls Canucks. “This gives is a perfect opportunity for both organization to come together for some fun” said Jana Katz, McDonald’s owner. “Our community minded spirit encourages us to look for these kinds of opportunities and this is a chance to help bring Bigs and Littles together.”

 

McDonald’s has a history of contributing to Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters, including proceeds from McHappy Day.
Thanks to McDonald's for your ongoing support!

 

 

Ticket Presentation

Miranda Beam, fundraising manager for Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters, accepts donation of Canucks tickets for children and youth involved with Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters.

 

 

CIBC YOUTHVISION SCHOLARSHIPS ANNOUNCED
Three Youth from Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters recognized

On Thursday, September 18, CIBC announced its 2008 CIBC YouthvisionTM Scholarship recipients. Thirty high school students from coast to coast, who applied for the scholarship while in Grade 10, are the winners of the awards valued at up to $34,000 each. The program, delivered through a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and YMCA Canada, helps young Canadians fulfill their academic aspirations and reach their full potential.

“The 30 students who received these scholarships now have a path to a post-secondary education,” said Gerry McCaughey, CIBC’s President and Chief Executive Officer at a ceremony recognizing the recipients today. “On behalf of CIBC, I extend my congratulations to these 30 new scholarship recipients and wish them every success on their continuing journey towards their academic aspirations. I am proud of CIBC’s long-standing support of this scholarship program.” Over the past 10 years, 300 Canadian high school students have been awarded scholarships under the CIBC Youthvision Scholarship program, representing a multi-year commitment of more than $10 million.
Among the 30 students across the country receiving these prestigious and much contested scholarships were 3 Niagara Falls students. Colin Perry, Meagan Lefebvre, and Shayne Manthau will be receiving CIBC Youthvisions scholarships, which include:
scholarship support of up to $4,000 per year for up to 4 years of post-secondary education, plus
the opportunity to participate in YMCA summer internships valued at up to $2,000 per year while in high school and up to $4,000 per year while in college or university.

Colin, a grade 11 student at St. Paul school in Niagara Falls, has been matched with Big Brother John for 6 years. Colin, who plans to pursue a career as an architectural engineer, maintains a straight A average while working part time to save for his post-secondary education.

Shayne has been matched with his Big Brother for close to 3 years. While Shayne is usually a student at AN Myer, he is currently involved with a cultural exchange program which will see him complete his Grade 11 studies in Germany. Shayne intends to pursue a career in dentistry.

Meagan is the second member of her family to receive this scholarship award, as her sister Melissa was a recipient in 2007. Meagan is very active in her community, both as a volunteer and as a participant in soccer and dance.
Veronica, Colin, Meagan
Colin, Veronica, and Melissa at CIBC Awards Luncheon

Local Long-Time Big Brother Receives

National Award for

Exceptional Contribution

Alderson and Company also receive award for their continued support of BBBS agencies across Niagara

Niagara Falls, ON – Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters is pleased to announce today long time Big Brother, and current board member, Tom Thornton has been awarded the National Cliff Hall Alumni Award by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.  Announced at the organization’s recent national convention, the Cliff Hall Alumni award, is named after 28 year National Staff member Cliff Hall and recognizes an active, long term (either continuous or re-engaged) alumnus (volunteer, Board, staff) who demonstrates significant commitment to forwarding the mentoring movement. 

 

“We are delighted that Tom was selected from amongst nominees from right across Canada for the impact that his contribution has had on the children and families in right here in Niagara Falls” stated Jon Braithwaite, Executive Director of Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters. “Tom has been an inspiration for not only the Little Brothers to whom he has been matched, but for our entire agency.”

 

Tom was matched in 1968 with Ron Bartleet, and together, they serve on the board of directors for Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters.  Tom has also volunteered on the boards of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies in Peel and Toronto.  But most importantly, as Ron puts it; “Tom has been, and continues to be a positive role model and a mentor in many facets of my life encompassing; faith, career, volunteerism, and relationships.”

 

Additionally, Alderson and Company, a St. Catharines based communications firm, has been awarded the Medal of Excellence by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.  The Medal of Excellence recognizes those corporations and businesses that have had a meaningful impact on a local agency or a group of agencies at the local level.  Alderson and Company has supported Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across the Niagara Region in a number of initiatives, providing expertise and services to support fundraising and recruitment efforts.

 

Finally, Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters received a Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada Growth award for continuing to serve more children in their community.  Presented by the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada Growth award recognizes agencies who have continued to reach out to their community to provide mentors for many of the youth in need of a mentor.

 

The goal of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada National Awards Program is to celebrate the many achievements of member agencies, their staff, volunteers and their partners.  Each year Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada recognizes local partners who assist local Big Brother Big Sister agency in fulfilling the mission and vision of the organization.

 

Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters is currently serving over 170 children through a variety of mentoring programs that include  Big Brothers, Big Sisters, In-School Mentoring, Go Girls!, Big Bunch, and Big Hearts, Little Hands.  The current recruitment campaign, 1 Year 100 Men, aimed at recruiting 100 new Big Brothers, wraps up September 28th, 2008.

Cliff Hall Alumni Award Winner

Tom Thornton Receives Cliff Hall Alumni Award

 

Medal Of Excellence

Chris Alderson and Jenny Chang Receive Medal of Excellence

 

Agency Growth Award

Veronica Loveless Receives Agency Growth Award from the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development

Kids helping kids

 On Saturday May 24th, 5 year old  Davis Gollert of Niagara Falls set up a lemonade stand.  He raised a total of $12.11 and has donated the proceeds to Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big sisters.  Thanks Davis!!!

Davis' lemonade stand  

2007 President's Banquet

On Tuesday April 29th, 2008 Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters honoured our outstanding volunteers for 2007 at our President's Banquet.  This year's Big Brother of the Year of award went to Chris Irwin.  Our Big Hearts Little Hands volunteers were all honoured as Big Sister's of the Year.  Karyn Jolley who has volunteered with the agency to help with Bingo's and other special events was honoured as this year's recipient of The John Prentice Volunteer of The Year Award. 

Big Brother of the Year 2007
Veronica Loveless Manager of Programs and Services with Big Brother of the Year Chris Irwin

Big Sister of the Year 2007
Big Hearts Little Hands Big Sister's of the Year
Helen, Sarah (staff), Edna, Pearl, Harriet, Mildred, June and Debbie

Volunteer of the Year 2001
Former NFBBBS Executive Director John Prentice, NFBBBS Fundraising Manager Noelle Sinclair with the John Prentice Volunteer of the Year Award Winner Karyn Jolley.

  CIBC Youthvision Scholarship

CIBC is committed to investing in the education of Canada's young people.  Through a unique partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and YMCA Canada, 30 scholarships, valued at $34,000 each, are awarded annually to Grade 10 students.  All recipients receive tuition, mentoring and internship support.  Niagara Falls' Little Sister Melissa Lefebvre was one of the 30 students selected from across Canada this year.

Congratulations Melissa on your accomplishment!

CIBC award winner