BBBS officially traces its roots to an act of kindness by a single person, a Cincinnati businessman named Irvin F. Westheimer. On July 4, 1903, Westheimer had gone to his office on that holiday morning to catch up on some work. While sitting at this roll-top desk, he glanced out the window to the alley below. There he saw a ragged boy and a mongrel dog scavenging through the garbage for food. Westheimer was deeply touched by what we saw. He ran down to the alley and introduced himself. He learned that the boy was one of five children from a poverty-stricken, fatherless home. Westheimer took the boy to a restaurant for a good meal and met his impoverished family. He later took the boy to a ball game and provided him with simple treats, but mostly he gave him companionship, understanding and a sympathetic ear for his troubles. Sensing that the boy was not the only child in this situation, Westheimer urged his friends and business associates to befriend other troubled and disadvantaged youths. This effort led to the formal organization of a Big Brothers agency in Cincinnati in 1910.

BBBS of Greater Pittsburgh was founded on July 20, 1965. Throughout our agency's 38-year history, more than 10,000 area youths have benefited through one-to-one mentoring relationships with responsible, caring adult volunteer mentors. Today, our agency serves nearly 1,000 children each year in Allegheny, Washington and Greene Counties.

Big/Little Holiday Party…The Sequel!

While there were no figure eights skated or flying backspins spun, there was still plenty of fun to be had at the BBBS Holiday Party…Part 2! On Saturday December 20, 86 Bigs and Littles were able to join the staff of BBBS for a "Holiday Open House" at the BBBS offices in East Liberty. This gathering served as a "make-up" for the party that was cancelled the week before at the Schenley Park Ice Rink.

Those who were able to stop by participated in a variety of festive crafts, such as snowman lollipop covers, reindeer tree ornaments and sparkling snowflake necklaces and, for the more adventurous, the painted hand print posters! In addition to crafts, there were some challenging games such as the snowman sweep, candy cane pull, and the holiday package scavenger hunt, which had many attendees scratching there heads trying to come up with the answers to some holiday riddles. It was a good bet that everyone now knows that if Santa rode a motorcycle it would be a "HOLLY Davidson"!

Matches were treated to delicious sandwiches from the Subway Sandwich Shop at the Waterdam Plaza in Canonsburg. Thanks go out to Subway manager, Brian Seaton, for his understanding about the last-minute cancellation the week before and coming through with a generous discount on the food. Tasty Dairy Queen ice cream cups were donated by Big Brother Shawn Roberts for everyone to enjoy as well.

A rousing Rudolph relay race was conducted with two teams vying to fill a stocking with candy while keeping a red nose stuck on their nose with Vaseline. The kids then participated a rather feisty game called "Un-Wrap It," which consisted of the Littles attempting to open a large, tightly wrapped gift, only to reveal smaller even more tightly wrapped gifts, until someone opened the final package. Each turn was determined by a roll of a die. It soon became apparent that you really don't want to stand in the way of child and a chance to win a prize! LS Angie was the ultimate victor, winning a booklet of McDonald's gift certificates.

The afternoon wrapped up with raffle drawings with LS Kwalin winning a skating snowman, LS Heidi winning the remote-control Chevy truck, LS Dana winning a golf outing with her Big Sister, and LB Danny and LS Ashley winning tickets to see the last Steelers game of the season! BS Christine O'Neil was the most accurate estimator and won a large jar of candy (minus the roll of Tums). Each Little was given a goody bag and an activity book of holiday puzzles to keep them busy during their upcoming holiday breaks. Even though we were not able to offer skating, it appeared that holiday fun was had by all!

It Was Cosmic, Dude!

On Sunday, December 21, BBBS held its first combined holiday party for matches in Washington and Greene Counties. A Cosmic Bowling Party was held at the Waynesburg Lanes for Bigs and Littles to engage in some friendly bowling competition and enjoy the food, fun and festivities of the holiday season. A total of 22 Big/Little Matches and 50 people total from BBBS had a great time at the bowling party. The event was successful in large part due to the volunteers who helped with its organization. Zita Vennare, Carolyn Geisler, Cindy Angeletti, Melissa Berry, Margie Rostosky, Jamie Mesar, Brean Ewart, Melissa Grody and Kelly Wall each donated a wide variety of baked goodies that helped put everyone in the holiday spirit (along with giving the bowlers that extra energy to throw the bowling ball at great speeds). Waynesburg Lanes also kept the pizza and soft drinks flowing.

Special thanks go to Junior Berry, BBBS Washington & Greene Counties Coordinator, for organizing the logistics of the party. Junior received a lot of favorable feedback, and it has been suggested that BBBS sponsor more match events in Greene and Washington Counties. Junior is now looking into a picnic or outdoor-themed party for sometime during the summer. If you have any suggestions or would like to help organize a match outing in Washington and Greene Counties, please contact Junior at 1-877-353-0871. Matches from Allegheny County also are invited to participate and help with a summer event "south of the (Allegheny County) boarder."

Forbes Picks BBBS Among Top 10 Nonprofits

Forbes magazine surveyed 200 nonprofits in their December 8, 2003 issue and rated them on how efficiently they collect and distribute dollars. The magazine looked at three categories - charitable commitment, fundraising efficiency, and donor dependency - in order to create its "gold star" list. To read the Forbes article, click http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2003/1208/246_print.html.

Here's the complete list of Forbes' "gold-star" charitable organizations in alphabetical order:

• American Kidney Fund
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
• Brother's Brother Foundation
• First Book
• Heifer International
• International Rescue Committee
• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
• Marine Toys for Tots
• Northwest Medical Teams International
• Salvation Army

January is National Mentoring Month

From the National Mentoring Partnership, Boston, MA: Now in its third year, National Mentoring Month (NMM) focuses national attention on the need for mentors, as well as how each of us - individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities and nonprofits - can work together to increase the number of mentors and assure brighter futures for our young people. This initiative is a nationwide effort to recruit volunteer mentors for young people who are at risk of not achieving their full potential. Research has shown that volunteer mentors can play a powerful role in reducing drug abuse and youth violence, while greatly enhancing a young person's prospects for leading a healthy and productive life.

The Harvard Mentoring Project of the Harvard School of Public Health and MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership spearheaded the development of National Mentoring Month, and are leading the NMM 2004 effort. The theme for NMM 2004 is "Who mentored you? Thank them…and pass it on!"

The idea behind "Who mentored you?" is to help people connect to the importance of mentoring by encouraging them to think about individuals in their lives during their formative years-family members, teachers, coaches, ministers, neighbors, employers, friends-who encouraged them, showed them the ropes, and helped them become who they are today. The campaign's message is that, today, too many young people do not get enough of that kind of support; mentoring programs can help fill the gap but need more volunteers.

As the centerpiece of NMM 2004, the Harvard Mentoring Project has developed a new initiative, Thank Your Mentor Day™, which will be celebrated on January 15, 2004. On that day, millions of Americans are expected to reach out to thank or honor those individuals who encouraged and guided them, and who had a lasting impact on their lives.

Thank Your Mentor Day™ will promote Three Ways to Honor your Mentor:

• contact your mentor by email, telephone, card or letter to directly express your appreciation;
• volunteer to mentor a child in your community who is at risk of not achieving his or her full potential;
• visit the campaign's web site, www.WhoMentoredYou.org, to share with others the lessons and insights that your mentor taught you.

National Mentoring Month has been endorsed by President George W. Bush, both houses of Congress, numerous governors and mayors across the country, the nation's largest media companies, and prominent nonprofit organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Top Hollywood stars, political leaders, athletes, and journalists are participating, as well.

For more information about National Mentoring Month and how you can get involved, please contact the Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania at 412-281-2535.

March is Bowl For Kids' Sake Month

The 2004 Bowl For Kids' Sake (BFKS) campaign will take place throughout March with four BFKS Community Day events taking place on each Sunday during the month. BFKS Community Days will be held in each county served by BBBS of Greater Pittsburgh: Greene, Washington, and two events in Allegheny County. Sign-up now to join the fun of BFKS and help us put a smile in every frame!

What is BFKS?

BFKS is definitely not about bowling. It's about having fun with an informal team of friends, family, neighbors or colleagues where it not your skill or score that counts-it's you! It's also our most important fundraising event, and all the money you help to raise goes directly toward matching local children with Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

How BFKS Works

BFKS is an easy and fun way to make a difference. As part of a six-member team, each bowler signs up sponsors and collects pledges-at least $75 per bowler. Each team bowls two games and is treated to food, fun and festivities. For bowlers and sponsors alike, the satisfaction comes from knowing you've helped kids in your community.

2004 BFKS Schedule

• Sun., March 7 -- Yanak Lanes, Jefferson, Greene County
• Sun., March 14 -- Arsenal Lanes, Lawrenceville, Allegheny Count
• Sun., March 21 -- AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes, Allegheny County
• Sun., March 28 -- West Pike Bowl, Canonsburg, Washington County

Get Involved Today!

For more information about BFKS or to register as a Team Captain or Bowler, please contact Danielle Hock, BBBS Special Events Manager, at 412-363-6100, ext. 214, or e-mail dhock@bbbspgh.org.

Or you can register on-line, set up your own personal BFKS website, and send e-mails to friends asking them to join your team and help support BBBS. To register on-line, go to www.bfkspittsburgh.kintera.org.

The BBBS staff also is looking for individuals to join our BFKS Committee. This year, our largest community fundraising event is taking on a whole new look and feel-more fun, enthusiasm and good times for everyone. But we need your help, advice and suggestions. Volunteers are welcome on the BFKS Committee, which requires about four to five hours per month through March. If you want to get involved, please call Danielle Hock at 412-363-6100, ext. 214.

• Tom Wiese's LB Kalif received A's and B's on his most recent report card for an 88% average-nearly an A average! He also was absent only one day during the previous term, which was a huge improvement from last year. Congratulations, Kalif.

With winter firmly in place for at least a few more months, now is a great time to get hit the slopes with your Little. Downhill skiing is a great wintertime activity for both kids and adults, and many Littles have never been on skis to enjoy the rush of gliding downhill.

Listed below are the major ski areas in Western and Central Pennsylvania with phone numbers for information and ski conditions. Many of these facilities offer other activities in addition to downhill skiing, like tubing, sleigh rides, cross-county skiing, and snowboarding. They also offer rental equipment, group lessons and special packages for skiers of all levels. But be sure to call ahead for pricing and ski conditions. A day at the slopes can be an expensive outing. Therefore, first-time skiers may be better off purchasing a half-day ticket at a smaller, less expensive ski facility like Boyce Park in Monroeville.

• Blue Knob, 800-458-3403
• Boyce Park, 724-733-4656
• Hidden Valley, 800-443-7544
• Mystic Mountain, 800-422-2736
• Seven Springs, 800-452-2223
• Ski Denton, 814-435-2115
• Whitetail, 717-328-9400
• Willowbrook, 724-872-7272

	The Power of Simple Play Today's parents are trying to do it right: Mozart for the baby, educational toys for the toddler, spelling software for the aspiring kindergartner. Modern American parenting has become an expensive and often exhausting investment in a stellar future.
We are told that faster is better, that we must make every minute count, and that our children are empty vessels waiting to be filled. Parents believe it's best for kids to learn to read early. They think kids should not be starting school ready to learn but already having learned. We've taken elementary school and pushed it down to preschool. There are parents of newborns asking, "When should I start the flashcards?" The marketplace knows parents are eager, so it makes products that claim to make your child's brain bigger and smarter. Yet there's not a shred of evidence that any of these products have any effect on kids' heads. We are confusing memorization with achievement. Research shows that real learning has to take place in context - and that play is the best teacher. Children will learn a tremendous amount through everyday living: playing with other children, creating stories together, finding patterns in leaves, and figuring out that if there are four people coming for dinner, you need to set four plates, four forks, and four napkins. There appears to be no real advantage to pushing kids ahead. And there are some disadvantages. We push them into being perfectionists. When we teach that there is one right answer and that the product is all that matters. Kids become anxious if they can't produce. Memorizing teaches them to be invested in the grade, not in the process of learning. Also, by giving them a constant stream of activities, kids become used to us structuring activities for them that they're at a loss when they don't have anything planned to do. We're developing a generation of kids whose favorite words are, "I'm bored." They don't know how to be independent. What can Bigs do to help? At BBBS, we encourage Bigs to not spend a lot of money on their Littles. Instead, engage them in everyday, simple activities that expand their horizons and thinking processes. When involved in activities with your Little, utilize toys that foster self-expression, like crayons, Play-Doh and Legos. These toys are great since they allow kids to create their own story. With younger Littles, toys like a costume drawer, tea sets, kitchenware, dolls, puppets, drawing, and crafts are good because they involve creativity. Zero-budget toys are empty boxes that can become taxicabs and forts. Pots and pans become rhythm instruments and nesting cups. Take field trips to the backyard or a nearby park to learn how ants crawl on a stick. With Littles of all ages, common, everyday activities are filled with opportunities for self-expression, creativity and critical thinking. The Big's job is to use positive reinforcement to encourage the Little to express herself, give her own opinions and justify them. Even if a Little's opinion is incorrect, it's more important for the Little to think through the decision-making process. But the Big often needs to facilitate this process by asking a series of questions. Talk about current events, movies, television shows, an ad on the radio or even a billboard. Ask your Little to create a different ending to a movie. Engage in role playing. Ask your Little about his likes and dislikes, and then encourage him to justify his opinions and beliefs. Discuss the lessons found in a movie or TV show. Ask your Little if he agrees or disagrees and why. Ask him what he would do in that situation. Even if his responses aren't always accurate, praise him for giving thorough thought to the matter and coming up with a reason for his opinions. [Some information contained in this article, written by BBBS Development Director Tom Wiese, was obtained from a recent article in the U.S. News & World Report.]