Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State celebrates fundraising milestone with 8th annual ‘Big Night Out’

Posted 6/25/15

Saturday night, May 2, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State (BBBSOS) held their eighth annual gala, “The Big Night Out,” with a Kentucky Derby theme.

The event’s Diamond Level …

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State celebrates fundraising milestone with 8th annual ‘Big Night Out’

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Saturday night, May 2, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State (BBBSOS) held their eighth annual gala, “The Big Night Out,” with a Kentucky Derby theme.

The event’s Diamond Level Sponsor, MetLife Auto & Home, was just one of the many sponsors who made the night a “Big” success. Emcee Mario Hilario, WJAR 10’s Host of the “Weekend Sunrise Show,” engaged guests throughout the evening, while Jim Braude, host of “Boston Public Radio,” got the crowd in the giving mood, raising over $37,000 during the evening’s Live Auction and Fund-A-Match which provides direct financial support to the agencies’ local mentoring programs.

Over 350 guests turned out in support of mentoring and to recognize the evening’s honorees. The 2015 honorees were Michael O’Connell, general manager of Balise Toyota of Warwick, who received the Champion of Mentoring Award, and the late Rick Fox, regional supply chain manager for the U.S. East Region for Savers, whose family accepted the Legacy Award on his behalf.

“Each year we are able to serve over 500 children with the time and dedication of our Big Brother and Big Sister volunteers,” said Deborah Saunders, president and CEO of BBBSOS. “Without them and without the financial support of our sponsors and the guests of our gala, we simply would not be able to provide the quality mentoring programs which make measurable impacts in the lives of children across Rhode Island.”

The event this year netted nearly $120,000 for BBBSOS, the organization’s best year yet.

“The money raised from this event will allow us to continue to fund our mentoring programs,” said Development Director Katje Afonseca. “Each mentoring relationship we have within our organization requires an extensive background screening for participating adults, along with on-going professional support from skilled BBBSOS case workers who provide training and free activities for our mentoring pairs. These necessities cost money and it is wonderful for us to have a fundraiser like our Annual Gala to support these expenses.”

BBBSOS provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Currently there are over 100 children on the waiting list, most of whom are boys, waiting for someone to positively impact their lives.

“Mentoring is more than just being a child’s friend. It’s being the person who allows them to see the light in their life, giving them higher aspirations, greater educational success and higher self-esteem,” said Roxanne Trenteseaux, vice president of programs at BBBSOS. “On behalf of the hundreds of children that my team and I work with every year, thank you to everyone who sponsored and supported this year’s gala. We could not do this work without you!”

To learn more about becoming a mentor to a child in Rhode Island, visit www.BBBSOS.org or call 921-2434.

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