scoop THE big Winter 2013 Newsletter
A Little Vision Leads To Big Ambition A Letter From A Former Little Sister
Walt Disney once said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” In other words, you can accomplish anything you want if you have the confidence to try. About five years ago I was given a Big Sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island. Since that day I have grown into the person I am today. Thanks to my Big Sister Paula and BBBSLI, I now know what I want to be when I grow up - a writer!
Therefore, I owe a special thanks to my Big Sister for helping me realize my dream and giving me the confidence to pursue it. Without BBBSLI, I would have never found my passion in writing and who knows the troubled person I might have become. - Amber
I was once a small girl, quiet and negative. I was never optimistic and never took chances because my mind would tell me I would fail. From the first day I met Paula, she has instilled an incredible amount of confidence in me. Four years ago she encouraged me to enter a writing contest because she believed in my passion to write and tell stories. Since that day I have been obsessed with writing. I started writing songs in eight grade, which I then turned into poems. Paula convinced me to take a creative writing class in tenth grade where I found my true passion in storytelling. Writing has boosted my self-esteem more and more each day.
Holiday For Kids' Sake
Happy Holidays
Through community toy drives and other contributions, the Holiday For Kids’ Sake program provides meals and gifts to more than 100 BBBSLI families and nearly 200 children just in time for the holidays. If you would like to participate in Holiday For Kids’ Sake, please call (516) 731-7880 x222 or email ccosentino@bbbsli.org. All donations must be received by Friday, December 13th. winter 2013 bbbsli.org
CEO Mark Cox Board Chair John Talotta Board of Directors Gary Barello Stephen Cohen James Conboy Kathleen Courtney Daniel Gibbons, Esq. Steven Goodman Dan Greenburg Scott Horowitz James Metzger Gerard E. O’Connor Michael Paley Regina Schilling Jeff Schwartzberg Mark Sidoti, Esq. Thomas Slome Kathleen Stanley Joy M. Watson, Esq. E. David Woycik, Jr., Esq. Newsletter Editor Chris Cosentino
Big Shots
Kristin & Maritza Hit The Airwaves @ WBAB
Christine & Angelica Attend A Cooking Class
Ryuki Meets NY Islander Josh Bailey
By The Numbers
Contact Us Nassau
An independent study has proved that a Big Brother or a Big Sister in a child’s life made a real difference. Children who met regularly with their ‘Bigs’ are:
Suffolk 631.273.1469
46% less likely to start using illegal drugs 27% less likely to start drinking alcohol 52% less likely to skip school
516.731.7880
East End 631.287.0086 Donation Center 631.234.0000 Email volunteers@bbbsli.org Web www.bbbsli.org
Also, ‘Littles’ are more likely to be more confident in their school work and have better relationships with their peers and parents. winter 2013 bbbsli.org p2
Events Recap 15th Annual Presidential Gala Raises Nearly $250,000
East End Poker & Blackjack Night Takes In $9,000 K
EAST END POKER & BLACKJACK NIGHT THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013
presented by
Supporting ASLoved ave theShared Date
Long Island Press Publisher Jed Morey Served as Master of Ceremonies
All In Poker Tournament Rakes In Over $20,000
Gerry Hayden & friends
invite you to a family style dinner
Sunday October 13, 2013 Cutchogue, New York
K
Mark Cox with the Woman & Man of the Year Amy Willen Spiros and Peter Klein
13th Annual Hamptons Offshore Invitational Reels In Over $220,000
Special Thanks To Our Dinner Sponsor
Cruisin’ For Kids’ Sake Raises Over $5,000
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2013
Battle of the Bands ROCKS Mulcahy’s for $10,000
Jil Mazer-Marino from Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein PC with WBAB’s Rocky
2013 Battle of the Bands Winner The Montauk Project
17th Annual Golf Outing Scores Over $80,000
Continental Home Loans CEO Michael McHugh with BBBSLI CEO Mark Cox
Did you know??
Nearly 60% of our operating budget comes from special event revenue. For more information on our upcoming special events visit www.bbbsli.org. winter 2013 bbbsli.org p3
WANTED Big Brothers
REWARD Impacting a child’s life ... FOREVER
Call Today! (516)731-7880 x212 Donate Your Tickets!
Do you have tickets to local sporting events or upcoming shows that you would like to donate? Call us today at (516) 731-7880 to provide a memorable outing for our matches!
Let us help with your holiday cleaning! Bag all your unwanted clothing and household items and schedule a pickup online at bbbsli.org, call (631)234-0000 or visit one of our conveniently located bins by using our bin finder online!
Incorporated in 1977, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island is a private, non-sectarian, not-for-profit, 501c3 tax exempt organization. We assist children who are at-risk because of family or personal situations. There are no fees for the families or volunteers in our program. Our mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.
winter 2013 bbbsli.org p4