GOVERNOR HONORS BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF HONOLULU WITH
THE 2009 OUTSTANDING ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH AWARD

HONOLULU – (October 30, 2009)  Hawaii’s premiere youth mentoring organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu, has been named a 2009 Outstanding Advocate for Children and Youth by Governor Linda Lingle, McDonald’s Restaurant and the Hawaii Children’s Trust Fund.

This prestigious award was presented at the 14^th annual luncheon on Thursday, October 29^th at the historic Washington Place in celebration of October as Hawaii’s Children and Youth Month.  Representative John Mizuno (D30-Kamehameha Heights, Kalihi Valley, Fort Shafter) and Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland (D13-Sand Island, Kalihi, Nu'uanu) of the Hawaii State Legislature’s Keiki Caucus hosted the event.  Honorees were chosen because of their dedication to children and youth advocacy during this past year. 

Upon receiving the award, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu’s President/CEO and Hawaii’s first Little Brother, Dennis Brown, said, “We are tremendously honored by this award. Thanks very much to Claire Akau, our contract accountant, former Big Sister, donor, volunteer and all-around supporter, who nominated us.  I am proud to be part of an organization that is recognized for the work we do to help children, youth, families and the whole community.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu is a preventive, non-profit organization focused on helping children become responsible adults by matching them with qualified volunteer mentors for personalized one-to-one mentorship. Since 1963, thousands of volunteer “Big Brothers” and “Big Sisters” have created a positive and lasting impact on local children simply by sharing their friendship, guidance, and support. National studies conclude that children who are mentored are significantly more likely to complete college, and attain financial self-sufficiency.  For more information, call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu at 521-3811 or visit www.bigshonolulu.org.

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Photo attachment:

Front row from L-R: Loretta Fuddy, Chief of the Family Health Services Division, State Department of Health; Rep. Tom Brower; Victor Lim, McDonald’s Restaurant representative; Sen. Suzanne Chun-Oakland; Dennis Brown, BBBSH President/CEO; Pume Preza, BBBSH staff; Jeff Mullis, BBBSH staff; Claire Akau, BBBSH nominator; Dennis Arakaki.

Back row from L-R: Rep. John Mizuno; Rodrigo Pascual, BBBSH staff; Manny DeVera BBBSH staff.