BBBS Adopt A Family In Full Swing

Photo:  (L to R) Jill Wendt, Society Insurance, Jennifer Smith, BBBS, Sommer Joslin, Society Insurance, Tammy Young, BBBS

It seems like yesterday (and in some cases it was!) that school started, leaving parents and businesses to wonder, what is next?  At Big Brothers Big Sisters, our focus shifts to the holiday season and our ninth annual ‘Adopt a Family’ program. 

“I know it seems early,” said Tammy Young, Executive Director of BBBS.  “It is!  In order for our organization to help over 100 families in 2017, we need to start now.” 

“We were able to help 99 families in 2016,” said Young.  (Up from 77 in 2015)    “We want to exceed 100 in 2017!  We are looking for businesses, families, clubs or organizations to give the gift of Christmas to a family in need.”

Will you make a BIG difference in the life of a child this holiday season? 

“There is no shortage of people in need,” said Jennifer Smith, Senior Community Based Program Coordinator at BBBS and the staff person responsible for spearheading this initiative.  “Anyone interested in adopting a family can select the size of the adopted family.  We have small, medium and large families who are at risk of not having anything under the tree this holiday season.”

Anyone interested in helping is asked to call the BBBS office at 922-8200.  To avoid a duplication of services, only those families in need who are not adopted through the Salvation Army, Department of Social Services or another area human service organization are eligible to participate. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County is a United Way Agency that assists children with social, emotional and character development through one-to-one mentoring relationships with caring adults.  The agency matches children with a Big Brother, Sister, Couple or Family in a community or school based program.  Children aged 6 through 13 can enroll in the program through parent or guardian referral.  Volunteers need to be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license for the community based program, 16 years old for the school based program.  For more information about the program or to volunteer, call 920-922-8200 or visit www.bbbsfdl.org.