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25th Anniversary Reunite Picnic! Join us! Saturday, July 20th from 4:30 until 8 p.m. at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport, IA. The day will be loaded with food and fun! Performance Food Group is our food sponsor and we will be grilling out burgers and hotdogs. All the picnic fixin’s will be there too! Our picnic committee and staff are planning fun games all evening including Bags, inflatable bounce house, game of kick ball, along with other individual and team games and activities. We will also be hosting a special reception area for former “Bigs” and “Littles” who wish to reunite!

At 8:30, the field will darken and we will open up to all families of “Bigs and Littles” for a FREE outdoor movie to be shown on the jumbotron, so bring your chairs and blankets. Popcorn (for up to 500 people) will be provided by RAVE Theatre. COST: $10 per match (current or past). $10 for “non-Big” individual. Plus, $2.00 per person for any additional guests. Register by July 10th at www.bbbs-mv.org or contact your Match Coach. For more information email: Kayla at kkiesey@bbbs-mv.org .

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY will be celebrated at the 2013 BIG IMPACT EVENT (and dinner) at Modern Woodmen Park on Tuesday night, June 25th. Hosted by former Little, Hawkeye football player and now Philadelphia Eagle, Julian Vandervelde will introduce his friend, Mike Daniels, now playing with the Green Bay Packers, who will tell us his story of being mentored as a youth and the difference it made in his life. We will also hear from an area educator and parent of a “Little”, along with BBBS CEO, Jay Justin, who will tell you about the results that our professionally supported, “Bigs” (that’s you!) are getting, and how our “Littles” are achieving success in their lives.

There will be an auction for great football packages and a one week vacation rental at a fabulous lodge in Colorado! We will be wrapping up the night with the BIG IMPACT Awards, honoring our Bigs in various categories of mentoring. Please join us that evening. A special registration rate of $35 per ticket is being offered to our current “Bigs”. (Regular ticket is $55).

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RAVE about your “Little” Upcoming Match Activities Thanks for Plant Sale help! Ask your Match Coach Community Calendar 25th Anniversary Golf Outing

Go to www.bbbs-mv.org to register by June 12th. Or, call your Match Coach 563-323-8006. Presented by:

MENTOR LANE—Honor your “Little” QC Wild Places—Summer fun! Healthy Kids article and guide Jeopardy at IHMVCU! Whiteside County Updates Friends for life—a Match closes

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JEOPARDY MADE LEARNING ABOUT MONEY FUN! IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union hosted our Match Activity for May at their offices in Moline. They kicked off the morning by teaching our “Bigs” and “Littles” about money and financial goals.

tions about what they learned earlier about money and goal setting. “Littles” could pass a token to their “Big” if they got stuck on a question. Points were earned with each question and FINAL JEOPARDY found our winner! Way to go David and Sam!

Then, learning was kicked into high gear when our game show host, Danielle, introduced everybody to the money version of All our “Littles” received prizes Jeopardy! “Littles” took the lead for playing their best. by “buzzing in” to answer ques- Thanks IHMVCU!

Sponsored and hosted by:

RAVE ABOUT YOUR “LITTLE”! Eric and Brady have been matched

Elizabeth goes to JB Young and is in 8th

in the school based program since February, this year. Eric decided that one activity he wanted to try with Brady was building a model car. Eric got a model car kit and they started to build it during their visits. Eric said that it’s taken a little bit longer to build than he thought it would, but they have it built and are going to tape it off during their next meeting so they can start painting it. Eric said that they plan to get it done before the end of the school year, but Brady is enjoying building the car and they have a good time together!

grade. She will be ending her last semester there with a 4.0 academic excellence! Not only does she have outstanding grades but she earned the top Merit Award at her school! Congrats Elizabeth!!!

Have a RAVE about your “Little”? Send it in to your Match Coach!

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DEAR MATCH COACH… I will miss my Lunch Buddy this summer! If it is OK with his mom, could we meet for ice cream?”

In our school based program, our mentors and mentees meet 2-4 times a month at school. Our School Based matches are NOT allowed to meet outside of school unless it is a BBBS agency event. Many of our School Based matches have developed strong relationships and at the end-of–the-schoolyear it is a great time to consider transferring your match to the

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Community Based program. If this is something that interests you, talk with your Match Coach and we can give you more information. We hope all of our matches will attend our 25th Anniversary Picnic at Modern Woodman Park on July 20th. All matches are invited. School Based matches will need to meet at Modern Woodman Park as School Based Bigs are NOT allowed to transport their Little’s for any reason.

25th ANNIVERSARY GOLF OUTING—JULY 20th SIGN UP YOUR Foursome today. We only have about 6 foursomes available and 12 Corporate Player Packages that each include a hole sponsorship and a foursome. Check with your company and see if they would like to sponsor a hole and a foursome (with you playing!) to support mentoring in the Quad Cities. We will kick off the outing at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, with registration at 6:30—7:30 a.m. at the Jack Nicklaus designed course, Fyre Lake Golf Club in Sherrard, IL. Your player package will include greens fees, cart, Bloody Mary Island, drink tickets good at our Beverage Tents, breakfast box (sponsored by American Bank & Trust), lunch box (sponsored by the Village Deli), tee gift bag, and a chance at our Hole In One contest for a $20,000 customized home electronics package sponsored by Reference Audio. Join us and our title sponsor, Galaxy One, on Saturday July 20th. Go to www.bbbs-mv.org and click on Golf Outing to register. Foursomes are going fast, so register soon! For more information contact Kayla Kiesey at 563-323-8006 or email: kkiesey@bbbs-mv.org.

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PLANT SALE WAS A GREAT SUCCESS!

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS! The 2013 Plant Sale was a huge success! Even though we coped with all kinds of weather — incessant rain, gusting winds and even some hot and sunny days— we managed to meet our fundraising goals for the event!

We couldn’t have done it without our amazing volunteers and sponsors.

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsors: THANKS TO ALL SPONSORS: Northwest Bank & Trust STC Investments Lujack’s DMW Design Paragon Interiors Eye Surgeons Associates MidAmerican Energy Modern Woodmen of America Home Depot Koehler Electric United Rentals Jerry’s Disposal Print One Step River Music Experience Burlington Coat Factory Bon Amour Photography WHBF-TV CBS4 Quad-City Times Cumulus Quad Cities Radish Gold Book 50+ Lifestyles Heritage Landscape Design Li’l Mississippi Golf River City Tire Scott County Animal Hospital Waterpark Full Service Car Wash KWQC—Paula Sands Live!

Thanks for helping us reach our goal of $50,000 (net) in funds raised!

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WHITESIDE COUNTY—BBBS UPDATE LOW COST MATCH ACTIVITIES IN WHITESIDE COUNTY

Happy 3rd Anniversary to Allen Campbell and his “Little”, Ian

New Match: Jason Hoffman and his “Little”, Darian

New Match: Ashley Keenan and her “Little”, Naomi

JUNE IN WHITESIDE COUNTY June 1—Bike Rodeo, Challand Barn. June 4—7 Sterling Carnival June 13—Free movie in the park in Sterling—Mary Poppins June 14— River Bandits Game June 21—23 Romeo and Juliet at Woodlawn— FREE ADMISSION

June 27– Free movie in the park in Sterling—All Dogs go to Heaven June 28-29 Sterling’s Fourth Friday Event Downtown 6 p.m.—8 p.m. June 28—29 Romeo and Juliet at Woodlawn—FREE ADMISSION

We have been working with local area businesses to come up with great deals for our community-based matches to have more options for low-cost activities to do with their Littles. For those who have not gotten theirs, we have several free passes for the Sterling/Rock Falls YMCA. These are available to all community-based matches. We also have an ongoing deal with the Rock Falls Billiards Club for our matches. If you show them your laminated card that you received at your match introduction as proof of being matched in the program, you and your Little can play four games of pool for $1. If you have lost your card, please let us know and I will get you a new one. If you have any other suggestions of places that can be contacted to get deals for our matches, please let us know by calling Lailonie at 815-441-9118 or emailing me at lmckinney@bbbs-mv.org

Have fun this summer!

start something

Have them call 563-323-8006

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FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: HOME GROWN By Unity Point Health—Trinity Staff

Spring has come, which means warmer weather, outside activities and fresh produce. During winter grocery stores sell fruits and vegetables of all kinds but wouldn’t it be better if you could grow your own! You might be thinking that you aren’t able to do so because you do not have space for a garden. But all you really need is a plant pot or two. Types of produce: There are many different kinds of produce that you can plant in a pot but some plants are easier than others to grow. Some of the easier types that you and your Little can plant together include: 1.

Tomatoes

Herbs

Pepper plants such as jalapeño or bell.

How to grow your own tomatoes: 1.

You’ll want to choose a pot that is large enough for the roots of the tomato to grow.

The key to a successful tomato plant is water. Be careful to not over water your tomato plant. The soil should be moist, not wet.

Fertilizing your tomato plant is important because there are nutrients in fertilizer that are not present in water. Organic fertilizers can be used if you wish to do so.

Make sure that your tomato plant is getting enough sun. It needs a minimum of eight hours a day.

Finally, bury your plant deep into the soil.

Store bought v. home grown: When you grow your own produce, you know exactly how fresh it is and can control what goes in the dirt. Pesticides will be absent from your potted plants if you so choose. Plus, when you grow your own fruits and vegetables, you are able to continuously pick

For more details on container gardening visit http:// containergardening.about.com/od/vegetablesandherbs/ Containers_of_Vegetables_Herbs_and_Edible_Flowers.htm

HEALTHY KIDS GUIDE — SHARE THIS WITH YOUR “LITTLES”! Share with your Little and learn about nutrition, fitness, hygiene and safety. www.bbbs-mv.org (Bigs Only tab — Healthy Kids Guide)

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AND LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE off the plants instead of running to the store. Your Little will gain a great sense of accomplishment after planting, caring for, picking and eating fresh fruits and vegetables. Buying locally: Plants do need continual care and take time to grow. Another option is to visit a farmers’ market. There are two markets at Unity Point Health - Trinity campuses in Moline and Bettendorf where you and your Little can shop for produce or plants to grow at home. The Trinity Moline farmers’ market is open on Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon through October. Trinity Bettendorf farmers’ market is open Mondays, 3-6 p.m. There are many reasons to buy locally: 1. Locally grown food looks and tastes better, and lasts longer. 2.

It is better for you. The longer it takes for food to

get to you, the more nutrients are lost. 3.

Small local farms grow an array of colors and types of produce.

Local food is safer.

Local food supports local families.

Local food builds community. This creates a connection between eater and grower.

Local food is an investment in the future for the community as a whole.

Whether growing your own or buying local, eating fresh produce is something healthy that you and your Little can enjoy together from spring into fall. IDEA TO GET YOUR “LITTLE” STARTED IN GARDENING! For $12.95 you can buy your “Little” a “My Little Garden” kit. It contains a 4” pot, saucer, potting soil, trowel, gloves and a packet of flower seeds. Just buy a different packet of seeds! Stop in and pick one up at the BBBS office. 130 W. 5th Street, Davenport.

Thanks to Unity Point Health—Trinity for their support of our Healthy Kids Program!

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TAKE A WALK ON THE “WILD SIDE” Blackhawk State Historic Site, Rock Island, IL

Nature thrives in the Midwest and the Quad Cities region is no exception. From the Mississippi River and its tributaries, to their floodplain wetlands and backwaters, to the wooded bluffs and upland plains, more than 16,000 acres of publicly accessible natural areas lie within an hour’s drive of the Quad Cities metro area. The sheer scope of these natural areas is impressive, but their existence may come as a surprise to even the most avid local naturalists. Many of our best natural areas have been overlooked in favor of promoting our riverfronts and traditional tourist attractions – but “the times they are a-changin’.” Eco-tourism and nature-based recreation is flourishing. The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people.” Since the 1990’s it has been estimated that global ecotourism is

Green Valley Nature Preserve, Moline, IL

growing more than 20 percent annually, a rate nearly three times faster than the tourism industry as a whole. Instead of planning vacations around popular attractions anchored to the hustle and bustle of world cities, eco-tourists are spending time and money off the beaten path. They are seeking experiences of exploration and discovery, including hiking, bird watching, wildlife photography, snorkeling and SCUBA diving, sustainable hunting and fishing, and cultural immersion. River Action has taken up the call to bring Quad Cities’ region natural areas to the attention of its communities and to foster ecotourism to these amazing resources. This effort is called “QC Wild Places.” A great way to interact with your “Little” this summer is by becoming a QC Wild Explorer. If you and your “Little” visit three or more sites, follow the instructions on their website (www.qcwildplaces.com) you’ll receive an official QC Wild Places hat.

For more information about Hav life and how you can get your “Little” involved call 563-323-8006 and ask for your Match Coach.

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Nahant Marsh, Davenport, IA

West Lake Park, Davenport, IA

Start your exploration of QC Wild Places today. The QC Wild Explorer program is open to youth ages 13 and under. In addition to a Wild Places hat, Explorers will receive a certificate for participating. For more information go to www.qcwildpaces.com or call River Action at 563-322-2969.

EARN THIS HAT!

start something

www.mentorlane.org Or go to: www.bbbs-mv.org and click on Mentor Lane.

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CELEBRATING MATCH ANNIVERSARIES! - JUNE YEARS

LITTLE’S NAME

BIG’S NAME

9 6 4 4 4 4 3 2 2 1 1 1

Donovan Kortny Kylie Lance David Cara Nicholas Gregory Raymond Kameron Letecia Janea

Jay Nelson Connie Mangler Cara Comba Beth Heston Harry Coin Angela Carnes Andy Miller Dale Harper Brian Reid Matthew Holmer Ana Aguilera Katelyn Hotle

ASK A FRIEND AT WORK TO BECOME A BIG! It will make it more fun for you and for them!

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Michael and Chris—THE BIG BROTHER THEORY By Evan Clark

Michael and Chris were matched when Chris was only nine years old. As they continued to see each other more often, Michael saw the For a seventeen year old, Chris seems to opportunity to volunteer and influence a have everything figured out. child’s life as something that was more re“Right now I’m in-between going to school ward than risk. for physics and chemistry, it’s hard to “I had always heard about it, and I thought choose, they’re both so interesting,” Chris it would be fun to have an impact in somesaid. “I’m thinking about taking my first two one else’s life. Time wasn’t an issue for me. years of college at Blackhawk, you know, get I’m a full time teacher and a dad, but a coumy prerequisites out of the way. I’m still ple weekends a month, couple of hours a thinking about a college after that, and then I want to get my PhD and get that over with.” You can’t spite this junior at United Township’s ambition. But Chris’s passion for science wasn’t always as strong. As for all geniuses, Chris just needed a little inspiration. “When we started out, I used to give him science books for Christmas or his birthday, and at first I think he hated them,” Said Michael Carton, an elementary school teacher in Rock Island and Chris’s Big for the past eight years. “Now he reads them all the time. When I saw he was really getting into science, I’d take him out to different museums, we’d build projects together, and I just really wanted to feed that interweekend, we made it work without a probest.” lem.” Michael and Chris are now approaching a For Chris, weekend visits and science exdecade of their big and little match. And periments with Michael provided a producwhile it seems like they met an eternity ago, tive stability while growing up in an ever Chris can still recall the long list of memories changing household. and experiences they’ve shared from Cubs “My mother is a single mom who’s disagames to hovercrafts like it was just yesterbled and I used to live with my sister until day. she eventually moved out. I have a step sis“The first thing we did together was build ter I don’t really see, a half sister I don’t reala birdhouse. One time we built a hovercraft ly know, and I used to see my dad every sumfor my science project. We’ve made rockets, mer, but not so much anymore.” puzzles of the periodic table, oh, and we’ve Over time, Michael and Chris’s relationship made lots of dry ice, which of course is frogrew beyond school lunches and recess zen carbon dioxide.” hangouts. On one Big Brother’s trip, they explored the treasures of Chicago, where

they strolled down Navy Pier, observed the inhabitants of the Chicago Aquarium, and topped it off with peanuts and cracker jacks at Chris’s first Cubs game. To curb Chris’s scientific ambitions, Michael took him on a day trip to a STEM conference at Northern Illinois University, a science convention that featured hundreds of exhibits, experiments, and lectures from scientists and authors alike. As far as Michael sees it, Chris is part of his family. “He’s practically Uncle Chris now,” Michael laughs. “He was in my wedding as the ring bearer.” “I didn’t even drop the ring!” Chris interrupted with pride. Michael sees the value in being a Big Brother as going beyond feeling good about yourself for helping someone out. He views it more as a life lesson that educates Chris as much as it does himself. “Being a Big prepared me better for being a dad. I have a year and a half old son now, and it’s nice because knowing Chris has let me understand how to help guide kids, and Chris gets to see the other end of it when he’s with me and my son. You can’t really go wrong here. You’re gonna have a great time with your little, and you’re going to get a lot out of it too.” As Chris approaches turning eighteen, his match with Michael through Big Brothers Big Sisters will soon expire. However, his friendship with his Big Brother will never conclude. “I can easily say my match worked out great. We still plan to see each other after I graduate and we’ll definitely keep in touch.” And while he knows his task as a renowned scientist could be daunting, Chris has not ruled out returning to Big Brothers Big Sisters down the road this time as a Big. “You know, scientists can be really busy. There are a lot of twelve hour days in the lab, but I’ve given some thought to being a Big, and I think that’d be a ton of fun.”

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KICK THE SUMMER OFF! JUNE 2013 JUNE 2013

10 Match

5 Fairy Tale Fashion 6

Ballet Under the Stars

Anniversary Party for Ballet Under the Stars those celebrating an anniversary of their BBBS Match. Long Grove Strawberry Festival

MATCH AXTIVITY AT RIVER BANDITS GAME 7:00 P.M. (ask your Match Coach)

Ask your Match Coach

22 Baseball Day at Family Museum QC AIR SHOW

23 QC AIR SHOW

25 BIG IMPACT

EVENT— Modern Woodmen Park 5:00

ANTIQUE AUTOMOBILE CLUB SHOW

All Breed Horse Show

GET OUT AND ABOUT IN THE QUAD CITIES! Join a Fairytale Fashion Show on Wednesday, June 5th from 5-8 pm at the Waterfront Convention Center. Enjoy a live DJ, photo booth, sweet treats, face painting and a chance to walk the pink carpet wearing your finest fashion! Visit www.missiowa.com for ticket information. Experience Ballet Under the Stars presented by Ballet Quad Cities on Friday, June 7 through Sunday June 9 at Lincoln Park in Rock Island. No admission charged. Call 309-786-3779 for details.

BIG IMPACT EVENT! - Tuesday, June 25th, Modern Woodmen Park, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Our mentor volunteers and matches will be honored at this event featuring Julian Vandervelde (former Little, Iowa Hawkeye and now, Philadelphia Eagle) as our host and emcee. His friend, Mike Daniels of the Green Bay Packers will be a featured speaker. Dinner and great auction items too! A special price for current Bigs of $35 per person. Contact your Match Coach or Kayla Kiesey at kkiesey@bbbs-mv.org.

Visit the Long Grove Strawberry Festival on Sunday, June 9th to enjoy a parade, petting zoo, inflatables and more. Call 563-285-9070 for more info.

View one-of-a-kind antique automobiles at the Antique Automobile Club’s show from Friday, June 28- Saturday, June 29 at the John Deere Commons Downtown Moline. For more info, check out http:// www.mvraaca.org/.

Baseball Day at the Family Museum is Saturday, June 22nd at 10:30 am. Visit with the River Bandits and make fun baseball crafts. To learn more, call 563-344-4106.

An All-Breed Horse Show will be presented at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds on Sunday, June 30. Admission is a donation at the gate. Call 563-326-5338 to learn more.

The Quad City Air Show returns Saturday, June 22- Sunday, June 23rd. For events and pricing info, visit www.quadcityairshow.com or call 563285-7469.