Big Brothers Big Sisters recently received a grant from the Polk County Community Foundation.

Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs continue to expand to serve more area children. As a non-profit organization with no public assistance, BBBS is faced with generating adequate sources of funding to provide more services. This grant comes at a crucial time to help sustain that growth, says BBBS.

Bowl For Kids Sake, coming up in February, is BBBS signature fundraising event. Area businesses provide sponsorships so that pledges raised by team members go directly to support mentoring programs in local schools and communities.

BBBS says that whether through direct monetary donations, contributions to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Endowment Fund at the PCCF, sponsorship or participation in events, or volunteer efforts, the support of local businesses, individuals, and of the Polk County Community Foundation allows BBBS to focus energy on continuing to develop the more successful fundraising events, and on providing services to benefit area children.

BBBS says that some of the children served by Big Brothers Big Sisters have never met a father, may be coping with the death of a parent, may live with grandparents or other relatives, may have an incarcerated parent, may have problems at school, may live in poverty, or could be facing all of the above.

BBBS believes that having a Big Brother or Big Sister is crucial in providing these children with experiences to boost self-esteem, improve behaviors and relationships, increase social skills, develop more positive attitudes, improve school performance, and develop a sense of the future. These unique trusting friendships broaden each childs horizons and encourage more smiles.

For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters, call 828-859-9230.