Hello and thank you for visiting my fundraising page! On May 30th, 2010, I will be running in (and completing!) my first half marathon. I am happy to be partnering with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Dane County to raise money and awareness in support of creating new matches in our community.  Let me tell you a little story about why Big Brothers and Big Sisters is important to me:

When I was seven years old, I met my new Big Sister, Terri. I was one of four children, my parents had recently divorced, and my rather deviant behavior suggested to social workers and school officials that I might benefit from more attention. Terri, and her entire extended family, welcomed me into their lives. We played cards, went fishing, and raked leaves. Her parents added me to the Christmas name exchange and her brothers added my name to the football board. Before long I felt connected, like one of the family. My regular interactions with Terri didn't have to be extravagant to be meaningful; she gave me the stability I needed in my life that my parents, at the time, were not able to give me.

Terri has been my Big Sister for the past 20 years. I'm now a college graduate with a new husband and a successful career. Though I'll never know where I would be without Terri in my life, I'm confident that our relationship helped me grow and mature in a positive direction.

There are hundreds of children in Dane County who have applied to be Little Brothers and Little Sisters who are not yet matched. In order to match these children with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the organization needs funds to cover the administrative costs of matching Bigs with Littles. It costs approximately $1,000 to create and support each match for one year. My goal is to raise $1,000, or more, so that at least one prospective Little can be matched with a Big.  I received so much from being a part of Big Brothers and Big Sisters when I was a child.  Now that I can, I want to give back so that more children get the benefit of having a caring, adult mentor in their lives

Whether you can afford $5 or $50, please make a contribution. You and I will be providing a child in our community with a friend who will provide him or her with love, support and stability. Exactly what most children need in order to grow into healthy, happy adults.

 

Thank you for your support!! -Jacqui