Coaches Corner December 2013 by Milepost Ventures, LLC

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GIVE BACK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! RAVE ABOUT YOUR LITTLE!

The Christmas season can often be so focused on gifts and receiving, that it may be difficult to show your Little how to see beyond that. Everywhere we turn, we are bombarded with the latest video game, fashion or toy. For a child, it can be extremely difficult to not get caught up in the craze of gift-getting! One way to help a child see beyond their own wishes is to find ways to give back to others during this time of year. 1.

An easy idea to start with is to get involved with the Salvation Army Kettle Bell Campaign. Volunteers are needed to give two hours of their time ringing a bell at a local shopping area. If you think this might be a good volunteer opportunity for your match, call the Salvation Army volunteer hotline at 563-271-7933.

2. Perhaps an even easier way to be involved in cheering someone’s holiday is to send a letter to a soldier overseas. While our soldiers are sacrificing time from their families so that they can defend ours, it is so important that we take time to thank them for their service and wish them happy holidays! Please keep the following ideas in mind, as given by the Red Cross:

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Sign all cards Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.” Do not include email or home addresses on the cards. Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos or letters.

Please refrain from choosing cards with glitter or using loose glitter as it can aggravate health issues of ill and injured warriors. All holiday greetings should be addressed and sent (by December 6th) to: Holiday Mail for Heroes P.O. Box 5456 Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456 3. Go caroling at a senior center or to support a non-profit caroling effort. 4. Shovel the sidewalk or driveway of a neighbor’s house. BBBS hopes that you will consider one of those ways, or any other way, to show your Little how to “give back” this season. Feel free to share ideas or pictures with us by emailing jkeller@bbbs-mv.org!

INSIDE THIS Dec. ISSUE: 11 NEW th Lunc

h an ! d (pag Learn! e 10 )

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Give Back this Holiday Season RAVE about your Little December Match Anniversaries BBBS Holiday Gift Program Dear Match Coach—Christmas gifts? Get to know BBBS—Kayla Kiesey Career Navigators—December Tours Warren and McDonough updates A look back at 2013

Charisma and Victoria were recently matched and became fast friends. Within the first 5 minutes of meeting, they were eager to talk to each other and learn about common interests. Charisma said later that Victoria is the most perfect person she could’ve been matched with, that they have so much in common, and that she feels like she’s known her forever! Victoria shared that sentiment and said additionally that having Charisma as her Little is 100% fun and that Charisma encourages her to be the best she can be as her Big Sister!

Did you know… 81% of adults who were mentored in a BBBS program said their mentor changed their perspective on what they thought was possible in their life! THANKS TO ALL OUR BIGS!        

What’s up in Whiteside County Give a Plant Sale gift certificate! Snowbird Softball Classic 2014 HAVlife—Does your Little want to dance? Match Activity Ideas PUTT-A-ROUND 2014—Sign up a team! MATCH CHRISTMAS PARTY Dec. 14 Bigs’ Night Out—January 7th

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LITTLE’S NAME

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Nakeyta

Rebecca

Lynn

Kallissa

Jessi

Black

Camry

Ellen

Kabat-Lensch

Rachel

Susan

Bowman

Kathryn

Kelley

DeBaene

Jonathan

Bryan

Cook

Jami

Kandice

Frieden

Ian

Bruce

Clark

Alexander "Alex"

Sue

Heberer

Caylie

Julie

West

Derrick

Mary

Jagers

JaeMonty

Chris

Downs

Rodolfo

Joe

Moralez

Kielan

Mike

Claus

Paticence

Judy

Hahm

Alyana

Staci

Molony-Klimek

Jayme

Tara

Boling

Tristen

Robb

McCoy

Destiny

Sarah

Grabowski

Chloe

Gerri

Garrison

Malakai

Ryan

Goettsch

Gabrielle

Amber

Lowe

Loree Katherine

Richell

Stock

KaMetria Quenshay Cristina

Barkowski

Bella

Lovelady

Megan

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DECEMBER MATCH ANNIVERSARIES!

If you are celebrating an anniversary with your Little, please join us on Wednesday, December 11, 5 to 6 p.m. at the BBBS offices 130 W. 5th St., Davenport and celebrate your Match Anniversary!

BBBS-HOLIDAY GIFT PROGRAM: SPONSOR A FAMILY

Big Brothers Big Sisters has been thrilled to see the generosity from our supporters and local businesses. The AmeriCorps members here at the BBBS office launched Project Turkey last month and solicited donations for Thanksgiving baskets to give to some of our in-need families. The outpouring of monetary donations as well as in-kind food donations was overwhelming. The project provided 30 of our families with a basket full of goods, sure to satisfy the entire family this Thanksgiving. The generosity spread from our families here in the Quad Cities all the way to Henry, Mercer and Whiteside counties. BBBS and the AmeriCorps service members all say a huge thank you to those who donated in any way to this project!

Beyond that, we are now staying busy keeping up with the generosity of local businesses wishing to sponsor a family for Christmas. Many of our families struggle to provide day to day needs, much less go beyond that for Christmas presents. It is wonderful to see supporters of our agency step in to help fill the gap for the families we serve. If you or your company would like to sponsor a family for the holidays, please contact Jaime at jkeller@bbbs-mv.org.

ASK A CO-WORKER OR FRIEND TO BECOME A BIG BROTHER OR BIG SISTER IN 2014!

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DEAR MATCH COACH...CHRISTMAS GIFTS? Dear Match Coach, With the holidays right around the corner I am unsure what to do about buying a Christmas gift for my Little. Should I buy my Little a gift? If so, what should I buy? Volunteer, BBBS does not expect you or any of our Bigs to buy their Little a Christmas gift. All we ask of our volunteers is for them to give their time; this is the greatest gift you give your Little all year round! For those of you who insist on purchasing something for your Little this holiday season, we encourage low cost, practical gifts. If you must, here are some low cost ideas to choose from.

Suggested Make a Christmas craft together Take your Little out to dinner Buy essential winter items (hats, mittens, scarves) Bake and decorate cookies for your Little’s family Order matching Big Brothers Big Sisters T-shirts Pick out a book both of you would enjoy Non –suggested Money Gift cards Electronics **For those of you who are unsure whether your Little celebrates Christmas, please refer to your match coach for more information.

GET TO KNOW BBBS: Kayla Kiesey—Director of Events Name: Kayla Kiesey Position: Director of Events & Community Partnerships How long have you been working for BBBS? 1 year and 2 months What is your favorite memory during the time you have been with BBBS? On Day of Caring in September, the little girl I was paired up with was just beaming from ear to ear with excitement. She explained how nervous she was, but as soon as we began enjoying our lunch and playing a game, the time just flew by and neither one of us was lost for words. When our time was up, I’ll never forget her looking at me and asking if I could come back next week, then having to explain this unfortunately was a one day visit. This day was a great opportunity to see firsthand the impact we can make in such a short time and it re-emphasized how much children really yearn for one-on-one attention. What do you like to do when you are not working? Go boating, ride my bike, bake, travel and spend time with my husband and two sons. What advice would you give a child who is in our program? Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to ask questions; that is how we all learn! Also, remember to tell others “thank you” for the kind things they do and share a “smile” with others - it’s contagious!

SIXTEEN MATCHES GET COOKIN’ AT TOP CHEF MATCH ACTIVITY! Sixteen Community-Based matches recently participated in the first ever Big Brothers Big Sister Top Chef activity, and had a blast! Matches were teamed together and given the task of preparing dishes based on certain categories, including “Kid-Friendly”, “American dish”, “Italian dish”, and “Dessert”. After stopping at the grocery store to pick up supplies, the teams headed over

to Legacy Church for a fun afternoon in the kitchen. Everyone was involved in the process, from choosing a recipe to cutting up vegetables, boiling noodles, and making Rice Krispie Treats! The result was a beautiful display of great food and fun had by all! Matches hope that this will become an annual event!

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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WARREN & McDONOUGH COUNTIES In the 4 weeks since the last issue of Coaches Corner, the Macomb office has interviewed 13 children! Many thanks to Sarah Walker for coming down from the Davenport office to help. All are wonderful candidates for the school-based program. In addition, 5 new volunteer interviews were conducted. We have a great pool of talented and motivated people ready to help. Schools Things are moving in the right direction at the 2 schools in Macomb. So far, we have 5 kids at Lincoln and 9 at Edison. Some are already scheduled to be introduced to their Big Brothers or Sisters, and some are still in the process. The first new match was introduced on Thursday 14 November at Lincoln. Congratulations to Big Sister Meghan and Little Brother Daveion! He wore a tie for the introduction: BBBS Board We had our monthly Board meeting on Monday 4 November at City Hall in Macomb. We added a valuable new member: Steve Horrell, who is the Dean of Students at Lincoln School, is now part of the group. Welcome Steve!

We scored a major coup in recruiting Don Nelson, former Board member, to give marketing and promotional advice. Don has a great deal of experience, and has gladly volunteered his services to help BBBS raise it’s profile in Warren and McDonough Counties. Thanks to Bill Jacobs for making the connection. BBBS staff gave a status report regarding RTBM volunteers and children, those who are still in the process, and further recruiting. A date, time, and location were decided for the Christmas Party in Macomb. Board members offered suggestions, and some volunteered to help find donations. It was decided that those attending the Christmas Party will have the opportunity to make “anonymous” Christmas cards, to be delivered to the elderly people living at Fitch Manor in Bushnell. Look at this! Two undergraduate students from WIU’s Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Management Department met with BBBS staff and will be drawing up suggestions for future fundraising. Part of their coursework is to establish a relationship with a local non-profit, identify an area in which the organization needs help, and then produce a plan to address the issue. We’re looking forward to seeing what they come up with. We have a sign in front of the office! Thanks to Tim Lipp for providing the materials, Kevin Breheny for doing the installation, and Alpha Sigma Tau for painting it. Have a gander:

Community-Based Matches with Littles in 6th through 12th grades!

JOIN US FOR CAREER NAVIGATOR SITE VISITS! Career Navigators activities are designed to help Bigs “navigate” Littles through the exploration of career interests and encourage academic and social success. These are simple, one hour experiences of business and educational opportunities in the QCA.

Thursday, December 12 4:15-5:15

Capri College of Cosmetology 2540 E. 53rd St., Davenport

Tuesday, December 17 TBD Attention Bigs with 9th and 10th grade Littles! We are beginning to explore Job Shadow opportunities for your Little. We will be presenting a “Pre-Job Shadow Workshop” that you and your Little can attend in January or February. More details will be coming your way!

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HELLO FROM BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN MACOMB! Our part-time [unofficial] intern Emily has been taking care of business. In the last month she has organized a “painting day” for the interior of the office, at which 16 sisters from Alpha Sigma Tau and the kids from Wee Care Daycare (next door) re-decorated. Check out a couple photos: And, Emily has 40(!) sisters ready to do the baking and decorating for the Christmas Party. World’s greatest part-time unofficial intern, hands down. Another exciting month at the Macomb office. Things are happening, people are getting involved, and matches are being made. We’re riding a great wave of enthusiasm, and there is no end to it in sight. Check out our Facebook page for all the latest updates: https://facebook.cobigbrothersbigsistersofmcdonoughcounty

ABOVE: Big Brothers Big Sisters in Warren and McDonough counties (offices in Macomb), gets a new sign! LEFT: BBBS office interior gets a facelift!

A LOOK BACK AT 2013—OUR 25TH YEAR!

February 2013 Putt-A-Round 1,000 attended! Raised over $45,000!

Snowbird—Jan./Feb. Raised over $5,000! Burrrr!

25th Anniversary Golf Outing At Fyre Lake was a BIG success!

25th Anniversary Picnic in September was a fun and beautiful fall day!

Plant Sale 2013! Lots of rain, but sold $100,000 worth of flowers!

Big Impact Event honored our Bigs and volunteers! Thanks to you all!

Bowl For Kids’ Sake in Macomb brought out lots of young people supporting BBBS

Day of Caring and Bigs’ Night Out celebrates volunteering

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WHAT’S UP IN WHITESIDE COUNTY?

Holiday Make and Take 3:45-5 at the Rock Falls Public Library

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Dec 6

Dixon’s Downtown Christmas Walk 6p-9p

Dec 5

Community Christmas Concert at the First Congregational Church, 311 2nd Ave, Sterling at 7pm

Dec 6,7,8

“It’s a Wonderful Life- A Life Radio Play” 7p on Fri/ Sat and 2p on Sun at First Presbyterian Church 410 2nd Ave, Sterling

Dec 6

Seasonal Sights and Sounds Holiday Parade in Sterling Beginning at 5:30 with the tree lighting ceremony at the Grandon followed by the YMCA 1 mile Santa run and then the parade.

Dec 6,7,8

Dillon Home Museum Christmas Walk

Dec 7

Breakfast with Santa by Sterling Kiwanis at the Moose Lodge 8a-11a

NEW MATCHES IN WHITESIDE COUNTY:

Charisma and Victoria

Hope and Kari

Jacob and Henry

Rhylee and Carrie

TRANSITIONED TO COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAM: Alena and Susan

Happy Anniversary to: Trence and John- 2 years as of 12/15 and Anthony and Scott (1 year anniversary of transition to the community-based program)

ASK A FRIEND TO BECOME A “BIG”! It’s really fun to be a mentor. You can be a school-based mentor (meet at Little’s school for lunch) and it only takes about 45 minutes a week! Call Loni today and find out more. Direct Line: (815) 441-9118

Did you know: Adults who were mentored as a child in a BBBS program were 75% more likely to receive a college degree and 46% more likely to have an average household income of $75,000 or higher? A BIG THANKS TO OUR BIGS FOR ALL THEY DO FOR THE CHILDREN OF OUR COMMUNITY!

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2014

SIGN UP YOUR TEAM TODAY FOR SNOWBIRD! Co-Ed Tournament: Friday-Sunday, January 24—26, 2014 Men’s Tournament: Friday-Sunday, February 7—9, 2014

The Ugly Duckling and other dances Saturday, January 25 1:30 p.m. at

Team Cost: $160 (minimum 8 people up to 20 person team. Co-ed team 50% women)

Bettendorf High School

Go to: www.thedugoutsportscomplex.com

Special Price for BBBS Matches

Performing Arts Center

Tournament held at The Dug Out 3504 Hickory Grove Rd., Davenport, IA

$22 Adult / Little gets in FREE! (Regular $22 adult / $12 child)

Call Ballet Quad Cities 309-786-3779 for tickets

ASK YOUR MATCH COACH ABOUT HAVlife! There are many exciting opportunities for children to get involved within the Quad Cities. Sports, music, or the arts. Unfortunately, those activities sometimes just cost too much, and the child ends up disappointed and with lost potential. BBBS has partnered with the HAVlife Foundation to ensure that any Little who wants to be involved in an extra-curricular activity has the ability to do so. The HAVlife Foundation exists to help bridge the financial gap and eliminate “lost potential” in students by providing funds for various activities in athletics, music and arts. Need ideas? BBBS maintains a list of available activities that might interest your Little. Contact your Match Coach to learn more.

DANCE LESSONS! Would your Little be interested in dance lessons? We can check with the school of dance at Ballet Quad Cities and see if a HAVlife grant can help! Let your Match Coach know!

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MATCH ACTIVITY IDEAS: THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR LITTLE Life will certainly get busy this holiday season! With very little free time, it may be hard to think of creative ways to celebrate the holidays with your Little. Community-Based Matches, here are some fun and easy ideas for you to try this month:  Help make creative presents for each other’s friends and families.  Bake holiday cookies together.  Volunteer to ring a Salvation Army bell at an area store. Call 563-271-7933 to volunteer.  Create “Blessing Bags” filled with items like tooth brushes, tooth paste, shaving cream, razors, soap, lotion, mittens, hats, etc. to be given to the homeless. Give them to Humility of Mary Shelter at 1016 West 5th Street, Davenport, IA or King’s Harvest Ministries at 824 West 3rd Street, Davenport, Iowa School-Based Matches, try these fun holiday-themed ideas for your Match:  Make cards to give to friends and family.  Decorate holiday cookies together.  Read a holiday story to each other.  Write letters to those in our military serving overseas (see page 1).

Have a wonderful holiday season with your Little!

This Christmas you can give a gift to your spouse, favorite aunt, co-worker, friend, teacher, coach or whoever you think might like to plant flowers or enjoy a hanging basket this spring. In addition, your gift supports Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Help grow graduation rates! Give a Plant Sale gift certificate this Christmas! Plant Sale gift certificates can be purchased (for any amount) now and used this spring at our Plant Sale held May 3— May 11th. Most hanging baskets or flats will cost $17.00. If you would like to order a gift certificate please call Kayla at 563-323-8006 or email her at kkiesey@bbbs-mv.org.

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BIGS’ NIGHT OUT JANUARY 7th

LOWER LEVEL HOTEL BLACKHAWK • 200 E. THIRD STREET DAVENPORT, IA

Sign up now for Bigs’ Night Out! Enjoy a fun-filled evening of bowling and networking at our January Bigs’ Night Out. The fun begins at 5:30-7:30 p.m.

No Charge! Includes one drink ticket and food! Bring a friend or co-worker who might be interested in volunteering! Call 563-323-8006 to sign up or email Jaime at jkeller@bbbs-mv.org

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NEW! LUNCH & LEARN: Help in understanding your Little Wed., Dec. 11th at 12:00 At the BBBS offices located at 130 W. 5th St., downtown Davenport Please join us for the first in our Lunch & Learn series. Bring your own lunch and gain insight in the topics of ADD, ADHD and ODD. We will be joined by Chris McCormick-Pries, ARNP, the Clinical Director for Vera French Community Mental Health Center. She will be discussing behaviors that are common in children and adolescents with ADD, ADHD and ODD. If you need useful strategies to help your Little effectively manage their behaviors for a more positive mentoring experience, this Lunch & Learn is for you! Chris is a Big Sister as well, and she is looking forward to being here with us. We are so excited to be learning from her expertise in this area!

Please RSVP by Monday, December 9th

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR — DECEMBER 2013 1

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

“White Christmas” film at Putnam Museum

Season of Light

17 Season of Light

Christmas in Le Claire

Gospel According to Scrooge

Lighted Christmas Parade downtown East Moline

Lunch and Learn 12:00 BBBS Match Anniversary Party 5 pm

Christmas in Le Claire Gospel According to Scrooge

The Nutcracker Season of Light

BBBS CHRISTMAS PARTY 9 am—noon

Season of Light

“ A Christmas Story” movie at The Adler

The Nutcracker Frost Fest—River Bandits

BBBS offices closed

Skate with Santa

BBBS offices closed

OUT AND ABOUT IN THE QUAD CITIES! DECEMBER

Tuesday, December 3 - Lighted Christmas Parade in downtown East Moline. The theme this year is Pets on Parade. Call 309-314-3730 to learn more.

Saturday, December 14—Friday, December 20- Augustana College’s John Deere Planetarium will present its annual holiday program. The planetarium show “Season of Light” will be offered weekdays at 7 pm and Saturday at 2 pm. Call 309-794-7327 to make your reservations. Admission is free.

Friday, December 6 - Sunday, December 8- Christmas in LeClaire. Enjoy crafts, trolley rides, Strolling Santas, Kids’ Activities, Breakfast with Santa and more. For more information, contact Diane at 563-370-3509. Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15- Ballet Quad Cities presents The Nutcracker. For ticketing information, contact the Adler Friday, December 6 - Sunday, December 8- Cornerstone Christian Theatre by calling (563) 326-8500. Fellowship will be presenting The Gospel According to Scrooge, a delightful, fun-filled drama for the entire family. Call 309-797-9223 for Sunday, December 15- Quad Cities River Bandits Frost Fest- Free activity ticketing information. from 11:00-2:00 including arts/ crafts, bake sale, games, bounce houses, holiday movies and making ice cream! Call 563-324-2032 to learn more. Friday, December 6 - Davenport Junior Theatre is hosting movie night and showing “Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. Only $4 per Saturday, December 21 - Experience a special 30th anniversary showing person, includes the movie, pizza, lemonade and popcorn. Call of “A Christmas Story” at the Adler Theatre. The film is hosted by Ian 563-328-7275 with questions. Petrella, who portrayed Randy Parker in the 1983 film. Tickets are $5.00 for children and $10.00 for adults. Call 563-326-8500 for more Tuesday, December 10 - Putnam Museum will be showing the classic information. “White Christmas”. Standard admission applies. For details, contact the museum at 563-324-1933. Sunday, December 22 - Skate with Santa at the River’s Edge Ice Rink, 2:45-4:45. Standard public skate rates apply. Free cookies and cocoa for all skaters.

ASK A FRIEND, FAMILY MEMBER OR CO-WORKER ABOUT BEING A BIG!

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