Community Based Big Brother of the Year
Gil Bowers was selected as the 2005 Community-Based Big Brother of the Year. Mr. Bowers has been a Big Brother for six years and has been matched with his current little brother, Fabian, for two years. Mr. Bowers has shown a lot of encouragement, dedication, caring, and concern towards his little. The two have spent a lot of time together playing basketball and Fabian has become more confident and outgoing as a result of the relationship he has with Mr. Bowers. Fabian tells us that he “no longer has to be lonely or bored”. Mr. Bowers is also committed to participating in agency events and last year, volunteered to participate in telling story to small groups as we presented the Big Brothers Big Sisters message to small groups within the community.
Community Based Big Sister of the Year
Kory Shrum has been selected as this year’s Community-Based Big Sister of the Year. She is one of our youngest and most energetic volunteers and got involved in mentoring because she wanted to make a difference in the life of a child. Kory was matched with her little sister, Autumn 2 ½ years ago. Kory and Autumn are a perfect fit for each other. They get along well and can communicate well together. Autumn tells us that Kory, “helps her with problems and is someone she can talk to just like she can talk to her mother”. During a crisis this summer, Kory was there to help Autumn and her mother through a stressful situation. Kory is often present at agency events with her “Little” and she is an exemplary role model for her and other volunteers as well.
School Based Big Brother of The Year
Marty Watson, a Sergeant with the Clarksville Police Department, was selected as the School Based Big Brother of The Year. Sgt. Watson has been committed to seeing his Little Brother, Daniel at school each week since they were matched. When Daniel started missing school, Sgt. Watson came by the office to see his case manager because he was concerned. We later learned that Daniel was in the process of transferring schools and was in a school we did not yet serve. Sgt. Watson wanted to continue meeting his “Little” so we made arrangements to add Glenellen Elementary to the schools that BBBS serves in the School-Based Mentoring Program. Sgt. Watson continues to be loyal to Daniel and sees him each week at school. Daniel tells us that Marty“ is always there for me and he never forgets me.”
School Based Big Sister of The Year
Jean Kugler received our School-Based Big Sister of The Year Award. Jean was selected for her continued dedication to the school based mentoring program and her willingness to mentor two children in two different schools for the past two school years. Additionally, Mrs. Kugler keeps a scrapbook on each of her matches that she shares with them so that they have something to keep track of the memories they create together. Over the summer months, when many school-based matches doe not hear from each other, Ms. Kugler always makes sure she keeps in touch with her “Littles” through the agency to let them know she has not forgotten them and she is looking forward to the upcoming school year.
