Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kincardine

UPCOMING EVENTS

Spookactular Halloween Party- Friday, October 28^th 5:30-7:30

Join in the fun at our Halloween costume party on Oct. 28^th at the Presbyterian Church at 345 Durham Street (use side door). This fun-filled spooky event will start at 5:30 with dinner, followed by games and other activities. All Mentors, Littles, Parents and siblings are invited to attend.

Kincardine’s Great Pumpkin Carve Off- Sat. October 29^th from 1- 4 p.m.

This FUNdraising event is taking place at Bean’s Bistro from 1 - 4 p.m.on October 29^th.Thank you to our sponsors; Tramonto’s and Chris Showalter for sharing his carving expertise, Sobey’s for donating the pumpkins and Bean’s Bistro for hosting this community event. Come and learn the fine art of pumpkin carving with the help of Chris and the Tramonto’s kitchen staff. This special FUNdraising event is open to the public and anyone wishing to carve a pumpkin can do so by making a donation to BBBS. Members of the agency will be able to select a beverage of their choice (get your ticket from Jody at the event).

BBBS Christmas Yard Sale- Saturday, November 26^th 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

BRING A FRIEND AND SPREAD THE WORD!

We are hosting our first agency Christmas Yard Sale on Nov. 26^th at the Kincardine United Church. We are looking for any Christmas items (new, nearly new or just not used) that are in good working order. Items such as; outdoor/indoor lights, decorations, imitation trees, ornaments, wrapping paper etc… Items to be donated can be dropped off on Friday, Nov. 25^th from 4-8 p.m. at the church. If you are not able to make this time you can contact Jody Slesser at 396-5130 to make other arrangements.

If you are able to help out during the drop off night or the main event, please contact us.

Annual Christmas Party- Wednesday, December 14^th from 5:30-7:30 REGISTER BEFORE DEC. 12^th.

Come join us celebrate the holidays at our Christmas party on December 14^th at the DavidsonCenter. We will be starting with dinner at 5:30, followed games and crafts and then finishing off with a special Scholastic book fair event like last year. In the event of a snow storm the ‘snow date’ will be December 21^st.

Welcome to our New Friends

Welcome- Gillian Young- Office Coordinator

Jody Slesser- Community Coordinator

Big Sisters- Heather Ross, Katy Hynes, Corinne Gaudreault

Group Mentors- Evan Hoover, Kelly Hegarty and Madi Wayland

Welcome Back- Big Couple Dana Hedge and Ian Poproski

Happy Birthday to our Little Brothers/Little Sisters

October

Isaiah M. - 4^th (9 year old)

Rebecca M. - 26^th (11)

Kirsten D. - 31^st (15)

November

Jesse H. - 5^th (15)

Austin N. -14^th (14)

December

Levi N. - 17^th (14)

Abbey T. - 17^th (11)

New Friendships

Big Sister Heather Ross/LS Abbey

Big Sister Katy Hynes/LS Taylor

A Fond Farewell to

Office Coordinator Niamh de Rosenroll- Niamhhas relocated with her family to Perth. We thank her for her dedication to the agency and for supporting the work we do. We wish her well in her new community.

FRIENDSHIP NEWS

Christmas Hamper Program- Kincardine Community Services is making preparations for the annual Christmas Hamper Program. Parents are reminded to notify Cynthia if you would like to be referred for a Christmas hamper. Families living in Tiverton and Ripley can also register through our office. Please call the office by Monday, November 28^thto REGISTER!

Families are asked to pick up their Christmas Hamper in person at St. Anthony’s Church parish hall on Russell Street on Friday, December 16^th between 9:30 and 1:00 pm. If you are having someone else pick up the hamper, please sign a small note giving consent.

Condor Books- We have a unique donation from a friend of the agency (Helga from Cozy Cats). Any of our Littles or siblings can go down to Condor Books on Queen Street and pick out one book of their choice, free of charge. Just let the staff know that you are a member of BBBS. If you have done this already please feel free to pick out another book.

Community Coordinator- We welcome Jody Slesser into the new position of Community Coordinator here at BBBS. Jody is a longtime friend of the agency and is now in charge of fundraising and event planning, as well as volunteer recruitment. We are very excited to have Jody in this role and she is off to a great start. You will hear more from her in the future, as she will be looking for volunteers for various events.

Big and Little Monthly Bowling Passes- The Bowling Proprietors Assoc. of Canada has once again sent us bowling passes for each of our Bigs. This card allows each Big and their Little to have one free game of Bowling per month at local bowling centres until August 2012. It is recommended that you call ahead to the lanes to confirm the days/times of public bowling. Call or drop by the office to get your bowling pass.

Kincardine- Bruce Bowling Lanes (396-7143) Port Elgin- Sunset Lanes (832-9331) Goderich- Little Bowl (524-2695).

SECOND TIME AROUND

Offense Declaration Forms- A reminder that the agency has a new procedure regarding the processing of criminal reference checks. Now all volunteers will be asked to sign an Offense Declaration form annually. This should simplify the process for volunteers and our office. You will be contacted annually by mail and/or e-mail when you are due to have the declaration form signed. Please return the signed form asap, with thanks.

BruceCounty Community Service Fund: Recreational Opportunities

This is a good time to start thinking about planning organized activities for the winter and then spring. Monies are still available through the County of Bruce for children, to help subsidize the cost of registration fees for sports, swimming, music lessons, equipment etc…The maximum subsidy is $300 per child per year for families that earn less then $25,000. For more information contact BruceCounty Social Services at 1-800-265-3005.Forms are available at our office.

Consent For Overnights- An Important Reminder for Matches

The National rules pertaining to overnights between Bigs and Littles are as follows;

v Overnights can take place only after the match is one year old

v Overnight visits after 1 year can be no longer than three nights in a row and only four times per year

v All overnights must take place in Canada

v An ‘Overnight Consent Form’ must be completed and signed by the parent prior to the overnight and submitted to the office asap.

Recruiting Mentors and Other Volunteers-

WE NEED YOUR HELP! As always we are recruiting Mentors (traditional Big Brothers, Big Sisters and/or Couples) to match with the growing number of boys and girls waiting for a mentor. Presently we have 5 Little Sisters and 8 Little Brothers waiting for a mentor. We also need volunteers to serve on our Board of Directors and adult mentors for our boy’s BIG/bunch program.

If you or someone you know would be interested in volunteering in some capacity with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kincardine, please contact Jody Slesser at 519-396-3565 or email us at bbrosis@bmts.com

PLEASE REGISTER online at www.bbbsalumni.ca or call 1-800-263-9133. It is easy to register, but if you want more information please contact the office. All volunteers, parents and Littles over 18 who are or have been involved with any Big Brother Big Sister agency are invited to join.

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	UPCOMING EVENTS Spookactular Halloween Party- Friday, October 28^th 5:30-7:30 Join in the fun at our Halloween costume party on Oct. 28^th at the Presbyterian Church at 345 Durham Street (use side door). This fun-filled spooky event will start at 5:30 with dinner, followed by games and other activities. All Mentors, Littles, Parents and siblings are invited to attend. Kincardine’s Great Pumpkin Carve Off- Sat. October 29^th from 1- 4 p.m. This FUNdraising event is taking place at Bean’s Bistro from 1 - 4 p.m.on October 29^th.Thank you to our sponsors; Tramonto’s and Chris Showalter for sharing his carving expertise, Sobey’s for donating the pumpkins and Bean’s Bistro for hosting this community event. Come and learn the fine art of pumpkin carving with the help of Chris and the Tramonto’s kitchen staff. This special FUNdraising event is open to the public and anyone wishing to carve a pumpkin can do so by making a donation to BBBS. Members of the agency will be able to select a beverage of their choice (get your ticket from Jody at the event). BBBS Christmas Yard Sale- Saturday, November 26^th 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. BRING A FRIEND AND SPREAD THE WORD! We are hosting our first agency Christmas Yard Sale on Nov. 26^th at the Kincardine United Church. We are looking for any Christmas items (new, nearly new or just not used) that are in good working order. Items such as; outdoor/indoor lights, decorations, imitation trees, ornaments, wrapping paper etc… Items to be donated can be dropped off on Friday, Nov. 25^th from 4-8 p.m. at the church. If you are not able to make this time you can contact Jody Slesser at 396-5130 to make other arrangements. If you are able to help out during the drop off night or the main event, please contact us. Annual Christmas Party- Wednesday, December 14^th from 5:30-7:30 REGISTER BEFORE DEC. 12^th. Come join us celebrate the holidays at our Christmas party on December 14^th at the DavidsonCenter. We will be starting with dinner at 5:30, followed games and crafts and then finishing off with a special Scholastic book fair event like last year. In the event of a snow storm the ‘snow date’ will be December 21^st. Welcome to our New Friends Welcome- Gillian Young- Office Coordinator Jody Slesser- Community Coordinator Big Sisters- Heather Ross, Katy Hynes, Corinne Gaudreault Group Mentors- Evan Hoover, Kelly Hegarty and Madi Wayland Welcome Back- Big Couple Dana Hedge and Ian Poproski Happy Birthday to our Little Brothers/Little Sisters October Isaiah M. - 4^th (9 year old) Rebecca M. - 26^th (11) Kirsten D. - 31^st (15) November Jesse H. - 5^th (15) Austin N. -14^th (14) December Levi N. - 17^th (14) Abbey T. - 17^th (11) New Friendships Big Sister Heather Ross/LS Abbey Big Sister Katy Hynes/LS Taylor A Fond Farewell to Office Coordinator Niamh de Rosenroll- Niamhhas relocated with her family to Perth. We thank her for her dedication to the agency and for supporting the work we do. We wish her well in her new community. FRIENDSHIP NEWS Christmas Hamper Program- Kincardine Community Services is making preparations for the annual Christmas Hamper Program. Parents are reminded to notify Cynthia if you would like to be referred for a Christmas hamper. Families living in Tiverton and Ripley can also register through our office. Please call the office by Monday, November 28^thto REGISTER! Families are asked to pick up their Christmas Hamper in person at St. Anthony’s Church parish hall on Russell Street on Friday, December 16^th between 9:30 and 1:00 pm. If you are having someone else pick up the hamper, please sign a small note giving consent. Condor Books- We have a unique donation from a friend of the agency (Helga from Cozy Cats). Any of our Littles or siblings can go down to Condor Books on Queen Street and pick out one book of their choice, free of charge. Just let the staff know that you are a member of BBBS. If you have done this already please feel free to pick out another book. Community Coordinator- We welcome Jody Slesser into the new position of Community Coordinator here at BBBS. Jody is a longtime friend of the agency and is now in charge of fundraising and event planning, as well as volunteer recruitment. We are very excited to have Jody in this role and she is off to a great start. You will hear more from her in the future, as she will be looking for volunteers for various events. Big and Little Monthly Bowling Passes- The Bowling Proprietors Assoc. of Canada has once again sent us bowling passes for each of our Bigs. This card allows each Big and their Little to have one free game of Bowling per month at local bowling centres until August 2012. It is recommended that you call ahead to the lanes to confirm the days/times of public bowling. Call or drop by the office to get your bowling pass. Kincardine- Bruce Bowling Lanes (396-7143) Port Elgin- Sunset Lanes (832-9331) Goderich- Little Bowl (524-2695). SECOND TIME AROUND Offense Declaration Forms- A reminder that the agency has a new procedure regarding the processing of criminal reference checks. Now all volunteers will be asked to sign an Offense Declaration form annually. This should simplify the process for volunteers and our office. You will be contacted annually by mail and/or e-mail when you are due to have the declaration form signed. Please return the signed form asap, with thanks. BruceCounty Community Service Fund: Recreational Opportunities This is a good time to start thinking about planning organized activities for the winter and then spring. Monies are still available through the County of Bruce for children, to help subsidize the cost of registration fees for sports, swimming, music lessons, equipment etc…The maximum subsidy is $300 per child per year for families that earn less then $25,000. For more information contact BruceCounty Social Services at 1-800-265-3005.Forms are available at our office. Consent For Overnights- An Important Reminder for Matches The National rules pertaining to overnights between Bigs and Littles are as follows; v Overnights can take place only after the match is one year old v Overnight visits after 1 year can be no longer than three nights in a row and only four times per year v All overnights must take place in Canada v An ‘Overnight Consent Form’ must be completed and signed by the parent prior to the overnight and submitted to the office asap. Recruiting Mentors and Other Volunteers- WE NEED YOUR HELP! As always we are recruiting Mentors (traditional Big Brothers, Big Sisters and/or Couples) to match with the growing number of boys and girls waiting for a mentor. Presently we have 5 Little Sisters and 8 Little Brothers waiting for a mentor. We also need volunteers to serve on our Board of Directors and adult mentors for our boy’s BIG/bunch program. If you or someone you know would be interested in volunteering in some capacity with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kincardine, please contact Jody Slesser at 519-396-3565 or email us at bbrosis@bmts.com PLEASE REGISTER online at www.bbbsalumni.ca or call 1-800-263-9133. It is easy to register, but if you want more information please contact the office. All volunteers, parents and Littles over 18 who are or have been involved with any Big Brother Big Sister agency are invited to join.