The Darke County Foundation Awards Funding to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke Counties

Little Buddy: Nathaniel Graf, son of Ben and Emily Graf. Big Buddy Mentor: Katelyn Warner, daughter of Christopher and Jennifer Warner and Little Buddy Alexis pace, daughter of Melikka King reading the 7 Habits of Happy Kids together.

The Darke County Foundation recently awarded a total of $1,000.00 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Darke County. The funding will be used to aid in The 7 Habits of Happy Kids Curriculum that will be utilized in the “Big Buddies” High School Mentoring program that pairs high school freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors with elementary aged students twice a month.

The High School Mentoring program known as “Big Buddies” is a nine month commitment where volunteer high school freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors mentor elementary age children two times a month at an agency designation. The agency has programs that include a total of 3 designated sites in Darke County with locations at Ansonia Elementary School, Versailles Elementary School, and Woodland Heights Elementary School in Darke County and four sites in Shelby County located at Emerson Elementary School, Northwood Elementary School, Longfellow Elementary School, & Whittier Elementary schools.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County is a nonprofit, United Way member, social service organization whose mission is to develop and mature quality relationships between children and volunteers. The relationship is meant to guide each child towards becoming a confident, competent, and caring individual. The agency currently has over 15 children waiting for a volunteer to work with them. If you are interested in becoming involved and making a difference in the life of a child in the Shelby & Darke Community call 937-492-7611 or 937-547-9622.