Dear editor,

Children are our future, and investing in them should be a top priority for our community.

Big Brothers Big Sisters helps children realize their potential and build their futures. We nurture children and strengthen communities.

For nearly 50 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wood County has been spreading the belief every child has the ability to succeed and thrive in life. We make meaningful, one-to-one monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 18, right here in our communities. We provide staff support to the volunteers, mentees, and families throughout the relationships, making available necessary training and ongoing help to keep the mentoring going strong.

This is why our mentoring is successful. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.

We would not be able to celebrate our 50th year in 2017 if it was not for the amazing support received from our local United Way. We have made such incredible strides over this last year, from implementing a new case management system and donor database system to recruiting impactful board members and committee members, moving into a new location, and strengthening our program to provide healthy one-on-one mentoring relationships.

Please consider the impact programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters will have on the community when you support the United Way campaign this year.

Heidi Goblirsch

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wood County Executive Director