United Way a 'backbone' for Big Brothers of South Niagara

Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Niagara received a big start for their fiscal year last Thursday.

The United Way of South Niagara presented the organization with a cheque for $74,678. The donation is the United Way’s annual contribution, which accounts for 32 per cent of the Big Brothers Big Sisters’ operating budget this year, said Barb Van Der Heyden, executive director of BBBSSN.

“The United Way of South Niagara has been a backbone for our organization,” said Van Der Heyden.
She said the loss of the United Way’s support would be devastating to the organization, which already functions with a minimal staff. “We would definitely have to cut services.”

Peter Papp, executive director of the United Way of South Niagara, said the donation to BBBSSN is the third largest donation the United Way makes, after the Hope Centre and Port Cares.

“It (BBBSSN) is a critical part of building our communities,” said Papp, adding that mentoring for children is “particularly important these days with all the social problems.”

Building communities is a central theme of the United Way’s fundraising and donation efforts, said Papp.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Niagara provides its traditional mentorship program, as well as school mentoring and group mentoring in Welland, Pelham, Port Colborne, Wainfleet and Fonthill.

For more information on BBBSSN visit www.bbbsinniagara.ca.

For more information on the United Way of South Niagara visit www.unitedwaysouthniagara.ca.