Sponsor a local Family this year

"There's no better feeling than giving to others"

The holiday season is upon us! 

Every year, all year, we try and give as much to our families as we can. If someone drops off gently used clothes, furniture, and toys we make sure they make it into the hands of someone who truly needs them in our community.

Since it's almost Christmas time, we want to amp it up a notch. Last year was our first year asking the local community to "adopt" one of our families and give them a Christmas they will certainly remember. It was amazing! Community members came forward and in total we had 4 families sponsored! We appreciate the sponsorship, but believe me, our families appreciate it much much more.

The beauty and simplicity of this program is that the person/persons who adopt the family gets to decide how much they want to spend on the family...it's all up to you! We do give you "Wish Lists" if you would like, with things that the child may ask for, or what the parents need, but it's really all up to you! Anything that you can give to these families is truly appreciated.

Currently, we have 3 families of different sizes who are still waiting to be adopted this Christmas! If you're interested in adopting one of these families, please email Krista at krista.duke@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca or call at 905-985-3733 ext 4 for more information.

Thank you to Fisher's Independent for donating groceries to some of our families in Brock Township this year!

Guest Blogger: Little Sister, Amanda and Big Sister, Lis

Guest Bloggers: Little Sister Amanda and Big Sister Lis

Amanda: Mine and Lis's relationship is a very strong thing. Lis is everything I could ever look for in a big sister. Our relationship is what other kids dream for and wish they had, I really appreciate everything she and Big Brothers Big Sisters has done for me.

A couple years ago when I was first registered for the program I was going through a hard time, but when I was matched with Lis things started to get better. She encourage me to do a lot of things and she also helped me cope with my anxiety by bringing me out to places and helping me meet new people. Now that its 2015 our friendship is still going very strong. She is still getting me to meet new people and getting me to take risks and getting  me to try new things. Every time we are out doing something we always have a good laugh even laughing at the small things. Lis is like another friend - she is always caring and she tries to understand everything I talk about or even if I'm explaining something. She always tries to understand. I am so glad I can call on her as a big sister/friend.

I am also so glad I was registered to Big Brothers Big Sisters and meet someone like Lis.

Lis: Amanda is a wonderful girl with lots of great character and a beautiful personality. She is very caring toward all her friends and loves to have a good time. She is naturally physically very strong and a true country girl. She makes me laugh when she fights new adventures but realizes she is very capable of doing so, like tree-trekking or canoeing. She has a special touch when it comes to matching up her clothes, she always looks great. And her hair is beautiful.

I love watching Amanda finding herself and learning to love who she is. I feel very fortunate she has picked me to be her friend and sister.

If you're interested in learning more information about our mentoring programs, please call Cheryl Holmes at 905-985-3733 ext 2.   

Could your child use our programs?

Our programs are not just for children who have a single parent anymore...our Mentoring Programs are designed for children in all walks of life.

Big Sister Gill, and Little Sister, Cailey. Read their story here. 

How do you know if your child could use a mentor?

Could your child use improved social skills? Does your child need a friend? Does your child need a non-family member to rely on? Does your child need a non-family member to talk to? Does your child like to have fun? If you can answer 'yes' to any of these questions, than your child could be eligible for a mentor!

Studies show that mentoring helps kids stay in school, avoid risky behavior such as bullying, and grow up having more respect for family, peers and community.

We have different programs available to suit the needs of all children and volunteers.
 
Our In-School Mentoring Program takes place once a week, for 1 hour, in the school, for the duration of the school year.

Our Traditional Mentoring Program takes place once a week, usually for 3-5 hours (depends on the Big/Little and the activities), outside of school.

We also have a few group programs which are recommended from the school to certain parents. 


        


All of our programs strive to do the following:

• provide a role model and a friend for girls and boys.
• promote the importance of staying in school and healthy relationships with family and peers.
• instill trust and self-confidence in order to make healthy decisions.
• encourage leadership skills and independent thinking.
• and above all, make a difference while having fun.

For more information on each of our programs, please visit our website here.

If you're interested in learning more information about our mentoring programs, please call Cheryl Holmes at 905-985-3733 ext 2.   






                                                                                                                            Big Brother, Mike and Little Brother, Jack. Read their story here.

Do you have 1 hour a week for 7 weeks?

 Do you have 1 hr/week for 7 weeks?

TIME is often the one thing that holds people back from wanting to mentor.

Mentoring may be easier than you think. 

If you're under 30, you can run a Go Girls or Game On group program that only takes 1 hour per week, for 7 weeks, and then that's it, you're done! Best of all, both programs are so structured, and we provide you with ALL materials/supplies you need, so all you need to do is follow the program each week and interact with the boys or girls.


Go Girls! is a program designed for girls in grade 7 and 8, and focuses on healthy eating habits, social trends and how to handle them, being physically active, self-esteem and self-confidence.

Game On is designed for boys in grade 7 and 8, and focus on being physically active, working on social skills, and healthy eating, and emotional health.

Both of these programs are fun, simple to implement and so rewarding, for both you and the kids in the program! 

If you are over 30, you can run a Kids In Motion program, which also runs 1 hour per week, for 7 weeks. Find more information here.

To find out more information about these and other programs we offer, visit our website here.

If you're interested in learning more information about our mentoring programs, please call Cheryl Holmes at 905-985-3733 ext 2.  

Meet a Mentor: CTV's Lance Brown

photo credit: CTV

Meet a Mentor: Lance Brown

CTV's Sports Anchor and Director, Lance Brown, has been an In-School Mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Durham (BBBSND) for over 10 years! "I became involved in BBBSND through Margie Ayres, whom I’ve known for some years.  She was aware that I had been a Big Brother in Toronto and asked if I might like to mentor," says Lance.

During Lance's time with us, he's mentored 3 boys in the Uxbridge area. "I think it’s a terrific way to give back," says Lance. "I’ve been very fortunate in life and I love kids, so it’s a terrific 'guy' way to help, I think."

Lance has been matched with his current Little for a year, and knows that just being there each week is what his mentee really needs. "I’m seeing some progress with my mentee. Nothing dramatic, and I know you’re not supposed to expect much, and I don’t..but it’s nice to see the little fellow coming along a bit,"says Lance. If the weather is nice, they love to be outside together playing sports, but if they are inside, they enjoy playing chess and other board games.

When asked if there is anyone in his life who plays a supportive role for his mentoring, Lance says "My wife is outstanding.  Our kids are great, too.  I came from a terrific family and that probably best set the table for my interest in this.  BBBSND is great too."

Lance explains why he continues to mentor children in our community: "It just makes you feel good.You’re doing something for someone else and, to start, someone you’ve never met, " says Lance.

"Every once in a while you’ll get an indication that you’re making a difference and that makes it all worthwhile."

If you're interested in learning more information about our mentoring programs, please call Cheryl Holmes at 905-985-3733 ext 2. 

TRIVIA NIGHT!

We're hosting our very own Trivia Night fundraiser! See poster for details.

Our Programs

If you're not familiar with how our different programs work, I'm going to break them down really easy for you:

The Traditional Program

• You see your mentee once a week for 3-4 hours in the community. You have your choice of doing whatever you want!

The In-School Mentoring (ISM) Program

• You see your mentee once a week for 1 hour (no more) on school property, during school hours, for the duration of the school year.

Go Girls

•   You follow a 7-week program with a group of 6-8 girls, for 1 hour/week for 7 weeks on school property during school hours.

Game On

• You follow a 7-week program with a group of 6-8 boys, for 1 hour/week for 7 weeks on school property during school hours.

 Kids in Motion

•  You develop your own 7-week program (or follow one of ours, options now are: crafts, sports) with a group of 6-10 boys and girls for 1 hour/week for 7 weeks on school property during school hours.

Pretty basic right? Well what if you're in the ISM Program but you want to spend time with your mentee during the summer? 

Usually, that would be against our rules, but if you're registered in BOTH the Traditional and ISM Programs, you can see your mentee for the 1 hour during the school year as usual, then you can take them out in the summer, too! This program is great if you've developed a good relationship with your mentee and you want to see them in those summer months or if you just want to take them places off school property!

 

If this, or any of our programs sounds like it would be a good fit for you, please call our office more information! Cheryl Holmes, Programs Manager, 905-985-3733 ext. 2.

For more information on our programs or our organization, please visit our website here. 

McHappy Day 2015

Wednesday May 7th was McHappy Day and boy we're we MCHAPPY!

Thanks to Ginger and Sandy Jackson, owners of McDonalds in Port Perry and Uxbridge, we were lucky enough to receive the proceeds from every Big Mac, hot McCafe beverage and Happy Meal sold. We're so happy to say that we raised $10,424.00!!!!This is over $2,000 more than we raised last year!!

A huge thanks goes out to all the McDonalds crew who made this day possible! They were all so kind to our volunteers and fast and efficient all day!

Over 60 volunteers from local businesses, council members, and service clubs volunteered their time for an hour or more in able to support our cause! Thanks to the following for lending a employee or two to volunteer:

Pineridge Impress
Campkin's RV Centre

United Way Durham North

Community Living Durham North

Township of Scugog Council Members

Sunnybrae Golf Club

Janet McGhee Chartered Accountant

Port Perry Fire Department

Brock's Department Store

Focus on Scugog

KX96

Dana's Goldsmithing

The Port Perry Star

Ron Noble Insurance

Lake Scugog Lumber

Rosario Greco Styles

Re/Max All-Stars

Luke's For Home

Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Durham Board of Directors Members

PP Print

Millar's Market

Great Blue Heron Charity Casino

Uxbridge Fire Department

New Animal Shelter for Uxbridge-Scugog

Township of Uxbridge Council Members

Little Acorn

Rutledge Jewellers

Community Care

The Uxbridge Times Journal

Floating Creations Balloons Uxbridge

Lance Brown

Williamson's Chrysler

Canadian Tire Uxbridge

The Uxbridge Cosmos

Re/Max Canada

The Uxbridge Kinsmen Club

Tin Mill Restaurant

The Ultimate Character Experience

The Roxy Theatres


 Here are some pictures from both restaurants

The McDonalds Crew in Uxbridge knows what they're doing.

Scott Richardson and Uxbridge Councilor Fred Bryan run the drive thru in the early morning.

Scott Rutledge did a fantastic job in the drive thru window!

Police Officer Lee, BBBSND's Becky Lawlor and Upright Doors Services Al Fortnum!

Community Care's Lorrie Houston and Floating Creations Balloon Uxbridge's Pauline.

Port Perry really dressed up the store for McHappy Day!

Lake Scugog Lumber's Paul Griffin and BBBSND's Margaret Ayres

The DRPS K9 unit helped us out, too!

Scugog's councilor Janna Guido helped for HOURS!

Uxbridge's Mayor Gerri-Lynn O'Connor, Big Brother Lance Brown and McDonalds owner Ginger Jackson.

 

The Uxbridge Times Journal's Yasmin!