[PRpond]
With nearly 10,000 children in El Dorado County needing services, Big Brothers Big Sisters is in constant need of positive role models. If you have as little as one hour a week to share with a child, we encourage you to give us a call at (530) 626-1222. You could make a BIG difference in a young persons’ life.
Big Brother of the Year - Scott Eichelbach
The 2017 Big Brother of the Year is Scott Eichelbach. Scott has been a Big Brother to Jacob and Amos for three years. This is a man with a great deal of energy, and he needed two boys to keep up with him! It’s hard to imagine that the guy who has an espresso machine strapped to the back of his truck (just in case?) can add stability to two young lives – but he sure does! Jacob and Amos live with their Aunt, and unfortunately, Mom has many challenges and the boys are often disappointed. Scott is their rock. He provides emotional support, counsels them when there are challenges and helps them academically. They live in a very small community and the three love to hang out at the coffee shop – imagine that! But what they really love is riding dirt bikes. Scott taught Jacob and Amos how to ride and work on the bikes and created a dirt bike track on his property. Scott shares with everyone he encounters that he is a Big Brother – he even wears a BBBS wristband. He says it reminds him that he always has to set a good example for the boys. When Scott was told he had been named Big Brother of the Year, he said “I don’t do this for recognition. I just love the little guys.”
Big Sister of the Year - Michelle Aricola
Michelle has been a Big Sister to Lizbeth for six years. Lizbeth struggled with school work and Michelle recognized her challenges. Doing homework and reading became part of their routine and Michelle made it enjoyable. Library visits and providing books to Lizbeth became a mission for Michelle. She also made sure Lizbeth had computer access so that she wouldn’t get behind in he school work. Lizbeth’s parents were often overlooked for school conferences because they don’t speak English. Michelle became the voice for Lizbeth and worked with her teacher’s to help her with math & reading. Lizbeth is now doing well in all her classes, but her favorite subject is history. But it’s not all work – Lizbeth & Michelle love UNO, cooking and baking are favorite hobbies, and they love to just chat. From a very shy seven year old who would literally turn red when you talked to her - to a very outgoing 13 year old, Lizbeth has gained selfconfidence and grown into an amazing young woman ready to face the future.
Become a Big
You don’t have to be a brainiac – although it may be the smartest thing you’ll ever do. You don’t have to be rich – although the rewards are endless. You don’t have to be young – although the experience will keep you young at heart. Being a Big Brother or Big Sister is one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling experiences you may ever have.
YOU can make a BIG difference!
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Since 1977, Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Dorado County has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer-supported mentoring network, BBBS makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers and children, ages 3 through 18. BBBS serves the most vulnerable children, those who are considered to be “at-risk” as a result of poverty, living in foster care, having an incarcerated parent, living in a single parent or guardian home, or those who may experience or may be subjected to factors contributing to mental illness. BBBS develops positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.
Phone: 530-626-1222
E-mail: Brenda@bbbs-edc.org
www.bbbs-edc.org
