Big Brothers Big Sisters Michigan Capital Region holds 2012 Big Breakfast

By Roberta M. Gubbins Legal News Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) "goal is to help children reach their potential," said Eric Eggan, attorney with Honigman, Miller, Schwartz & Cohl, LLP, and Secretary, BBBS Board of Directors, welcoming all to the BBBS Michigan Capital Region 2012 Big Breakfast. "We do this by pairing a young person with a mentor who can provide some guidance in their lives." "Big Brothers, Big Sisters, is the largest mentoring organization in America," said Phil Knight, Executive Director, taking the podium. Historically, he noted, children who are mentored by BBBS are 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs and 52% less likely to be truant from school. Their academics improve and their at-risk behaviors decrease. "They grow up to be positive tax paying contributors and volunteers in our society," he said. The guiding principles of BBBS, according to Knight, are child safety, meaning that the background of each mentor is checked, long-term relationships assisted by professional case mangers, and achieving measurable results. Lansing mentor-mentee relationships last 45 months while the national average is 24 months. Germane, a junior in High School and a 'Little Brother' told of the guidance he received from his Big Brother. "He encouraged me and was there to talk to when I needed him. He taught me to drive," he said with a grin. AJ Hilton of Fox 47 news presented the 2012 awards. Jack Schmitt received the "Big of the Year Award" for outstanding effectiveness as a positive adult role model. "This experience has been incredibly meaningful for me," said Schmitt. "I am very grateful for this award." Frank Harrison Reynolds was presented with the Ann Schneidewind Impact Award, which is awarded to those who, like Schneidewind, give of their time. Reynolds, who served on the Board for six years, was recognized for being a creative force for positive change at Big Brothers Big Sisters Michigan Capital Region. "He continues to donate," said Hilton, "giving of his treasure, his time and his expertise." Reynolds expressed his thanks for the award commenting on the changes over the past six years, which included a new location at the Lansing Armory, a new Executive Director and the accomplishment of great things in the community. Mark Dantonio received Mentor of the Year Award for demonstrating a strong commitment to integrity while impacting the next generation of leaders through mentoring. "It's quite an honor to be here today," said Dantonio. "Coaching is about mentoring. It's about helping and impacting others. Time is a precious gift. Young people don't care about how much you know or do; they simply want some time. If I have a word of advice, it would be that if you're going to fall always fall forward. If you do that you will ultimately be successful." Dana Malesky, of Jackson National Life Insurance Company, sponsor of the event, asked that the members of the audience complete the forms on their tables donating time and/or money to help support the organization. Big Brothers Big Sisters began in 1904 when a young New York City court clerk named Ernest Coulter was seeing more and more boys come through his courtroom. He recognized that caring adults could help many of these kids stay out of trouble, and he set out to find volunteers. That marked the beginning of the Big Brothers movement. At around the same time, the members of a group called Ladies of Charity were befriending girls who had come through the New York Children's Court. Both groups continued to work independently until 1977, when they joined forces and became Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The Michigan Capital Region BBBS supports approximately 500 matches per year and has been serving children in Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Ionia and Shiawassee Counties for 60 years. Big Brothers Big Sisters currently operates in all 50 states--and in 12 countries around the world. For more information, please call 517-372-0160 or visit http://www.bbbsmcr.org. Published: Thu, May 31, 2012

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