Big Brothers Big Sisters Hosts "Calling All Bigs and Littles" Day in the Park May 30, 2009

WHAT: Simon Says come to Discovery Green on May 30 for the Calling All Bigs & Littles Day in the Park, hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston (BBBS).

Bigs, Littles, moms, dads, brothers, sisters, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends….everyone is invited to enjoy an afternoon full of fun games and activities such as Bingo, hopscotch, sack races, Duck Duck Goose and Simon Says. It’s a great way to experience first-hand how rewarding it is to spend quality time with others.

Bigs and Littles will be VIPS for the day and will share their BBBS stories from the stage. In addition, the “Big of the Year” will be crowned and the Jack in the Box scholarship winner will be announced, complete with a big congratulatory cake provided by H-E-B.

Sunny 99.1 will provide the music and local celebrities and media personalities will host the games and activities. Thirty State Farm employees will be on hand to volunteer as “Bigs for the Day,” spending one-on-one time with 30 unmatched Littles who are anxiously awaiting a mentor in their life.

WHY:This event is the final hoorah of the Calling All Bigs & Littles campaign which kicked off in March in an effort to reconnect with former Bigs and Littles in hopes they will reengage with BBBS and volunteer again. There are more than 700 children currently waiting to be matched with a Big – and who better to mentor a child than a former Little who has been in their “shoes” or a former Big who has personally witnessed the impact an adult mentor can have on a child.

WHO: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston is a private, non-profit organization and an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The program matches children between the ages of 6 and 15 with adult volunteer mentors from the community. Studies have shown that children who participate in the program are less likely to use illegal drugs, start drinking, skip school, be violent and become pregnant. In addition, child participants demonstrate vast improvement in their overall academic performance and scholastic efficacy.

Official Website: http://www.gobighouston.org