F O R U M WO R K S H O P

The first year, the twosome approached the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organizations. “We told them that all they had to do was let us use their name and we would donate the proceeds to them,” explained Alverson. “Many board members were familiar with my work as a Big Brother, but they still put us through an hour of questioning. They were suspicious at first as to why two young professionals on the fast track would do something out of the ordinary like this. We convinced them that a smile on a child’s face was what we were looking for ”

The Big Brothers organization made Alverson and Eldred sign a contract holding the two personally responsible for the event They rallied together with 14 other

Pittsburgh professionals and raised $12,000 for the Make a Wish Foundation, and the 3rd year another $12,000 for Special Olympics.

In addition to helping kids in the community, Kevin’s big heart has helped him to gain professionally and personally. “I’ve made a lot of contacts including ex-Steelers Lynn Swan and Franco Harris,” says Alverson. “I’ve also met the local hosts of ‘PM Magazine,’ who have, in turn, invited us to some big fund-raisers where we’ve met the mayor and other politically involved people.”

Workwise, write-ups in his corporation’s newsletter about the efforts of Critical Mass helped him earn a favorable reputation among people in site offices whom he had never met