June 10, 2012 5:26 PM
This week, our featured charity is Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan (“BIGS-NW”) is a non-profit organization that works tirelessly to change children’s lives for the better. For over 50 years, we have been committed to creating and fostering one-to-one adult-child mentor relationships for at-risk children (single-parent, low-income households) in an eight-county region. Serving approximately 300 children annually, BIGS-NW has successfully helped more than 2,500 children to date. However, we must do more! The reality in northwestern Michigan is that there are more than 2,500 at-risk children in need of a mentor. Someone they can count on, who will listen without judgment, and help guide them toward making good decisions. Someone who will open up opportunities they might never have known existed. BIGS-NW is one of the most recognized donor-driven charities operating today. We rely solely on our community for financial support. BIGS-NW does not receive any state or federal funding. A first ballgame, a heart-to-heart talk, a milk-through-the-nose laugh … these things might not seem earth-shattering to most people, but for a child in need the power of a moment like this can be life-altering and truly part of something BIG.