COACHES CORNER

HOLIDAY SEASON SUPPORT FOR YOUR LITTLE

DEAR MATCH COACH

NOVEMBER MATCH ANNIVERSARIES & PARTY

RAVE ABOUT YOUR LITTLE: KATY GOT A JOB!RAVE ABOUT YOUR LITTLE: KATY GOT A JOB!

NEXT STEPS—HIGHER EDUCATION WORK-SHOP

FESTIVAL OF TREES—BBBS TREE PROJECT

NOVEMBER MATCH ACTIVITY—GO BOWL!

ABOUT A BIG: KIRK DENISON

ACITIVTY IDEAS—DREAMCATCHER & SPEED READ

GET TO KNOW: Jessica Seier

HEALTHY KIDS—SUPPORT MILITARY

SOUTHERN MENTORING CENTER UPDATE

WHITESIDE COUNTY UPDATE

CAREER NAVIGATORS NOVEMBER TOUR

SAVE THE DATE FOR PUTT-A-ROUND

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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INSIDE THIS

ISSUE:

Here at Big Brothers Big Sisters, we understand that winter and the holiday season can be an especially tough time for the families we serve. Higher utility fees, illnesses, winter clothing and gift-giving can all put a financial strain on families this time of year. If you know of a specific need in your Little’s family, please contact your match coach for some resources that

may alleviate some of that stress. Below are a few suggestions, featuring Quad City agencies offering services to families in need. Please pass this information on to your Little’s family and encourage them to seek assistance. We want to do our part to make sure that all of our Littles have a safe, warm and happy holiday season!

TOYS Toys for Tots at 5402 Tremont Ave Davenport Iowa (309 782 6044) will have registration for toys. Registration will be from October 30—December 6, every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday., 9:00 Am - 5:00 Pm. Ages eligible to receive toys: From six months-12 years old. Child must be at least six months old by December 15th or born by June 21st, 2014 to receive toys. Toys for Tots 5402 Tremont Ave., Davenport, IA 309-782-6044

CHRISTMAS BASKETS Friendly House Christmas Basket sign up will be November 3-6 from 9:30-11:30 and 1:30-3:30. Friendly House, 1221 N. Myrtle St., Davenport, IA (563-323-1821)

Salvation Army has sign up for Christmas food baskets and toys Oct 27-Dec 5 on Monday 12:00-2:30 Wednesday 1:00-4:00 Friday 11:00-2:00 Salvation Army, 3400 W. Central Park Ave., Davenport, IA (563) 391-5325 Salvation Army Heritage Temple in Moline has sign up for Christmas basket 10/27-12/5 on Monday 12:00-12:30; Wednesday 1:00-4:00; and Friday 12:00-2:00 Salvation Army Heritage House, 2200 5th Avenue, Moline, IL (309)764-6996. Dispatch Good Fellow/Argus Santa Fund People looking for holiday assistance can sign up for it at The Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1800 7th Ave., Moline, a couple of blocks south of The Dispatch. Sign-up times are 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8. Applicants must: -- Live in the Moline/Coal Valley or Rock Island-Milan school districts.

FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER Martin Luther King Center at 630 7th Ave. in Rock Island 25th Annual Thanksgiving Holiday Dinner on November 23 from 11:00 am - 1:30 pm. Martin Luther King Center, 630 7th Ave. Rock Island, IL (309)732-2999.

Friendly House Thanksgiving dinner will be November 25th at noon and it is free to all. Friendly House 1221 N Myrtle St., Davenport, IA

(563) 323-1821.

Mr. Thanksgiving at SouthPark Mall will be Thanksgiving Day this November 27 from 4:00-6:30. SouthPark Mall, SouthPark Mall, 4500 16th Street, Moline, IL (309) 797-8450

ENERGY ASSISTANCE Community Action of Eastern Iowa is taking applications for energy assistance starting Nov. 1 from 8-3:30 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday is by appointments only. Please call to make an appointment first. Community Action of Eastern Iowa, 500 E. 59th St., Davenport, IA (563)324-3236 or (866) 324-3236. Project Now of Rock Island will help with energy assistance starting November 3 by calling 309-852-4565 to schedule an appointment at their office.

WINTER COATS

King’s Harvest will have clothes and coat give away for children and adults every 2nd Saturday. King’s Harvest 824 W 3rd St ., Davenport, IA (563) 570-4536 Grace United Methodist Church has clothes and coats give away from 6:00-7:00 every Wednesday night. 2651 Telegraph Road, Davenport, IA (563 )326-5631. Coats for Kids—Donate new or gently used coats, hats, mittens or write a check to support. Address: 729 21st St., Bettendorf, IA 52722 or any Burke Cleaners locations. (563) 344-6320.

For a more complete list of resources in the Quad Cities, visit http://unitedwayqc.org/resources/resources-for-partner-programs and click

on the link to access the online database, or call 2-1-1 to speak with a helpful representative who can refer you to the right agency.

COACHES CORNER DEAR MATCH COACH: Helping Your Little Show Gratitude

Little’s First Name

Big’s First Name

Big’s Last Name

Years Matched

V O L U M E 6, I S S U E 11 N O V E M B E R , 2 0 1 4

Little’s First Name

Big’s First Name

Big’s Last Name

Years Matched

MATCH ANNIVERSARIES IN NOVEMBER! CONGRATS!

Does anyone else’s Little ever say, “thank you”? I have noticed in recent outings and visits with my Little, that when someone does something nice for him, he rarely says “thank you”. In this month of “giving thanks”, how can I help my Little to become more aware of the importance in showing gratitude? Dear Volunteer, A sense of gratitude is an essential ingredient in a happy life, but it does not come naturally to children. Teaching a child the importance of gratitude starts before they can talk and continues until they are an adult. Although you may have not been able to teach your Little from an early age, it is never too late to start reiterating the importance of a simple “thank you”. Below are a few suggestions for teaching your little about gratitude. • Set a Good Example. Example is the best teacher, so let your Little see you show gratitude to others. If you appreciate what others have done for

you, express it and encourage your Little to do the same. • Think Out Loud. Have you ever felt happy just to get out of bed and see

the sun shining outside? Don't keep it to yourself! A sense of happy appreciation for the beautiful world around us can be infectious. • Give to the “less fortunate”. Involve your Little in charitable giving or volunteer work. Nothing inspires gratitude like realizing how difficult life can be for other people. If you give to a charity, explain to your Little why you do and ask them to help. Your Little will see that many people do extra work to make our world a better place. • Appeal to your Little’s self-interest. An older child who didn't pick up the gratitude habit early on might believe that expressing gratitude is a

ridiculous waste of time. Explain to your Little that their future depends on the ability to say "thank you." After all, who wants to do business with a company who doesn't appreciate its clients? Who wants to continue helping an ungrateful co-worker?

Diamond Karen Orozco-Gutieruiz 8

Mercedes (Sadie) Pat Minnaert 6 Javier Scott Houzenga 5

Perionah Annette Wilson 5 Cyrus Mary Thee 5 Anthony Brad Foreman 4 Sallu Travis Guy 4

Jordan Karen Turner 4

Ava Pam Thompson 4

Andrew John Murphy 4 Jevin Charles Walters 3 Johnathon John Howes 3 Nathan Cory Tedesco 3 Marissa Ann Lorentzen 3 Sean John Tritt 3 Nevaeh Jacqueline Chatman 3

Destiny Kathy Kolar 3

Tammy Beverly Donchez 3 Jayden Jason Holtgrewe 3

Kelsey Joyce Orcutt 3

Maddy Becky Lorentzen 2

Sofia Cecilia Casas 2

John Greg Gadient 2 Michael Kevin Kelly 2

Eva Jodi Maxwell 2

Samantha Amanda Mason 1 Savanah Taalor Werden 1 Charisma Victoria Kent 1 LaNiya Amanda Romaniak 1 Nelriah Karen Koslick 1 Michael Jeff Jacobs 1 Jadyn Lyn Jungblut 1

Christopher Luke Maloney 1

Alecia Kabrina Davidson 1

Rhylee Carrie Vornkahl 1

Cortasia Jaymie Schuldt 1

Brandon Jenna Griffith 1

Kailiona Natalie Faivre 1 Kevin John Wickwire 1

Daveion Meghan Hoyle 1 Tyler Robert Knox 1

Annabelle Julianne Cochuyt 1 Jacob Henry Plude 1

Katie Sarah Kautz 1 Kahleeyah Lindsey Brost 1

Happy

Match

Anniversary

MATCH ANNIVERSARY PARTY! Tuesday, November 11, 5 to 7:30 PM

Held at the Putman Museum, Davenport email kzick@bbbs-mv.org

COACHES CORNER V O L U M E 6, I S S U E 11 N O V E M B E R , 2 0 1 4

Congratulations to Little Sister, Katy!

She completed the Job Readiness

Program with us last year, and we are

so excited to announce that she is

currently employed at Friendship

Manor. We are so proud of you!

Great job, Katy!

RAVE ABOUT YOUR LITTLE:

KATY LANDS A JOB!

NEXT STEP WORKSHOPS: Saturday, November 8, 2014 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kahl Education Center, 326 W. 3rd Street, Davenport, IA. Join us for fun and information breakout sessions about scholarships, ACT/SAT prep, FAFSA as well as a luncheon that includes a panel of representatives from community colleges, 4-year colleges, apprenticeships and trades.

LITTLES AGES 14-17. BIGS PLEASE RSVP TO: Kim at kaboyure@bbbs-mv.org

HOSTED BY:

Great Next Step events in October! College Fair at St. Ambrose University and Next Steps kick off dinner, tour and panel at

Kaplan University. 25 Matches attended! Way to support your teen Littles!

OCTOBER NEXT STEPS—GREAT TURNOUT!

ABOUT A BIG: KIRK DENISON AND ALEX

COACHES CORNER V O L U M E 6, I S S U E 11 N O V E M B E R , 2 0 1 4

MATCH ACTIVITY IDEAS: DREAM CATCHERS & SPEED READ

For more fun activity ideas and projects, follow us on Pinterest at BBBS-MV!

How long have you been involved in BBBS? Hard to believe, but it’s been 5 years in January already! What made you decide to become a Big? Since I was single and empty nested, I had free time and felt that I could be a good role model and mentor for a Little. What do you do for a living? I am an IT Tech Lead at John Deere. This entails me supporting a few enterprise wide software packages used at Deere. What is your favorite memory with your Little? My favorite memories are going to River Bandit games, the MV fair, the annual BBBS picnics, and an Iowa Hawkeye football game.

Dream Catchers Things you need: One paper plate, hole punch, yarn, stickers, feathers, beads To start: punches holes in the paper plate. Feed the yarn through the holes to make an interesting pattern. Leave some extra yarn at the bottom of the plate to add decorations. Decorate the plate with whatever craft supplies you have available. String beads onto the extra string and tie knots to secure them. At the end you will have a dreamy dream catcher.

Speed-read Turbocharge story time. Choose a word that will be repeated often ("green," for instance, if you're reading Green Eggs and Ham) and have your child stand up or sit down each time he hears it. Add new actions to various words as they come up. Just remember to keep moving!

Thanks to UnityPoint Health—Trinity for their sponsorship of the BBBS

Healthy Kids program.

COACHES CORNER V O L U M E 6, I S S U E 11 N O V E M B E R , 2 0 1 4

By UnityPoint Health—Trinity Staff

With Veteran’s Day coming up, our thoughts are directed toward our military and veterans, particularly those from the Quad Cities. Our area has many resources available to support our troops and veterans, including Jason’s Box, a not-for-profit organization that strives to improve the well-being of our troops and veterans through care packages, education and resources. Jason’s Box can help you and your Little put a smile

on the face of a troop who is currently overseas. Connecting with military personnel can be a great way to share with your Little the importance of honoring and thanking those who protect us. Here are a variety of activities you can do together: Write letters to the troops - Writing letters together can be a great way to bond with your Little. Discuss what you both would like the letter to say. This opens a dialogue about the role our military men and women play in keeping our country safe. You can decorate the letter with stickers, ribbon

and other embellishments. Create a care package - You and your Little can collect items to send overseas in a care package. Encourage your Little to think about what he or she would miss the most if they were not in the United States for a year and try to include that in the care package. You can also include homemade gifts that you and your Little make together, such as loom bracelets, pictures, drawings, etc. For ideas about what service personnel ask for most, visit http://www.jasonsbox.com/care-packages.html.

Draw a picture for a serviceman or woman - You and your Little can get creative and draw pictures together. Ask your Little for ideas of what they want to draw, or suggest ideas such as a picture of them, their family or their pet. Send a Holiday Card - The holiday season is almost upon us, and more than ever our service men and women will be missing home. Sending a holiday card can open a discussion about how your Little would feel if they were away from home and their family during the holidays. Take your Little to one of the Veteran’s Day events in the Quad Cities - It will be rewarding for you and your Little to have

real life interactions with veterans. If possible, your Little could talk to a veteran and thank them for their service. Or you can have a conversation with your Little about why we celebrate Veteran’s Day. Watch Davenport’s Veteran’s Day Parade on Nov. 11 at 10 a.m., at 4th and Western or attend one of the many other events around the area that honor our veterans.

You can turn your collected items, letters, cards or drawings over to Jason’s Box who will prepare and send them for you to a pre-selected troop. For more information on Jason’s Box, you can visit jasonsbox.com or contact Founder and President Teri Johnson at terij@mchsi.com. Jason’s Box collaborates on projects with UnityPoint Health – Trinity.

HEALTHY KIDS: SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND YOUR LITTLE

SOUTHERN MENTORING CENTER IS IN FULL SWING!

COACHES CORNER V O L U M E 6, I S S U E 11 N O V E M B E R , 2 0 1 4

Wow, it’s a whirlwind of activity in western Illinois. New matches, loads of interviews and recruiting talks, Bowl For Kids’ Sake coming up…It’s a wonderful feeling when the community (Bigs and Littles, the schools, sponsors and donors, volunteers) comes together to support kids. Community service speaks volumes, and we’re listening. NEW MATCHES We made SEVEN, yes 7, new matches since the last issue!!! This is BBBS’ favorite time of the year; Bigs and Littles are excited to meet, thinking about all the fun activities they can do together, sharing about their lives and interests, the introductions are always so much fun. First, the 6 brand new School-based matches. Look at all these smiling faces! Nothing could be finer. Here are Littles: Cameron, Julianna, Quinton, Braxton, Noah, and Julie with their Bigs : Austyn, Nicole, Zack, Jason, Adam, and Samantha.

And we had one new Community-based match! Say hello to Little Sister Kelsey and Big Sister Laykyn. Great people, ready to do great things! INTERVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, INTERVIEWS! You thought we did a lot of interviews last month? This month has been fast and furious. We’re doing our best to keep up with all the wonderful people who want to join our team, and it’s been a whole lot of fun. 7 new matches this month, and we expect the same number for next month. What an

outstanding bunch of people we have in western Illinois. Real community spirit is alive and well here. OFFICE UPGRADE In October, Woodforest National Bank and Macomb Branch Manager Joni Todd made a very generous donation of a brand new computer. Using an abacus and keeping records on stone tablets was really slowing down the enrollment process here…but no more! (Kidding, of course.) Many thanks to Woodforest and Joni for the upgrade to the BBBS office! BOARD On Monday 6 October we had our monthly Board meeting. All energies are going toward Bowl For Kids’ Sake right now, and it needs to be said that BBBS Warren and McDonough County has the best volunteers on Earth. Nope, that is not up for debate. Everyone is pitching in, and big things are happening. Here’s a great example: on Saturday 4 October some of the Board members went with BBBS staff to Peace of Earth Lodge (in Rushville, IL) for a work day. Peace of Earth was kind enough to donate a wonderful prize for Bowl For Kids’ Sake, so we thought we would repay the favor. Many thanks to Ellie and Dean Zoerink, Dan and Sheryl Yoder, Paula Rhodes, and Bill Jacobs for their time, and as many thanks to Pat and Tim Sullivan for their generosity. Check the photo: BOWL FOR KIDS’ SAKE 2014 UPDATE The 2014 Bowl for Kids’ Sake event will be on Saturday 1 November, at Digger’s College City Bowl. We are working hard to make this year’s the best BFKS Macomb has ever seen, and our supporters are coming through for us. The people of McDonough County believe in what we’re doing, and this partnership with the community is something to be very proud of. Next month’s submission will be chock-full of photos and stories from the event. So excited! There are so many people in Macomb working to raise funds to support BBBS, and one group was especially creative: WIU’s Phi Alpha had a “Pie a Professor in the Face” fundraiser on Campus. It was so much fun, BBBS had to get involved. Here are a few photos:

Cameron and Austyn

Julianna and Nicole

Quinton and Zack

Braxton and Jason

Kelsey and Laykan

Julie and Samantha

Noah and Adam

COACHES CORNER V O L U M E 6, I S S U E 11 N O V E M B E R , 2 0 1 4

Our First Match in Whiteside County! Tristen & Jeff. Congratulations on being matched and thanks Jeff for volunteering to be a youth mentor in our program!

United Way of Whiteside County Chili Cook Off:

United Way raised over $2,000.00 to help support programs such as Big Brothers Big Sisters for the 2014-2015 program year. Big Brothers Big Sisters was able to help contribute to the cause by hosting the Kids Activity Tent where we made Halloween masks. It

was a beautiful day, great turn out, and we hope to be a part of it next year! A BIG thank you to all of our matches that came to see us.

Ready, Set, Paint your Pumpkin: Whiteside County had our first match activity. Bigs and Littles came to enjoy Hot Chocolate, cookies, and pumpkin painting. We have an extremely creative and fun group of matches!

Fall Has Fallen! This Fall has certainly been a busy month for Whiteside County. We attended and hosted the Kids Tent at the United Way Chili Cook Off, made our first match, and had our first match activity! And we can’t make any guarantees that the month of November will be any less busy. For the month of November we are in high recruitment mode here in Whiteside County. We will be going to many local businesses as well as working with our local schools and current volunteers to recruit new volunteers for the children on our waiting list. If you know anyone who you think would be a great Big, or would like us to come to your business, church or community group, please contact Courtney Jones at cjones@bbbs-mv.org or (815) 716-8665.

Something to look forward to: We have nailed down a date for our Christmas Party! Our Whiteside County Christmas party will be Friday December 5th from 6pm-8:30pm. We will be having a pot luck dinner here at our office in Sterling and then going over to the local movie theatre or bowling alley (more details to come, so be on the look out!).

WHITESIDE COUNTY NOVEMBER UPDATE

Join Us! Monday, November 3 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

10% of all sales plus tips

for our volunteer waiters will go to

support one-to-one mentoring at BBBS!

SEE YOU THERE!

COACHES CORNER N O V E M B E R, 2 0 1 4

V O L U M E 6, I S S U E 11

SAVE THE DATE!SAVE THE DATE!

January 20—23, 2015

10th Annual

Putt-A-Round!

Great River Hall at the RiverCenter, Davenport, IA Match Night, Tuesday, January 20!

For more information go to www.bbbsmv.org or contact Kayla Kiesey at kkiesey@bbbs-mv.org

or 563-323-8006

Name: Jessica Seier Position: Elementary Program Specialist Thank you to Jess for completing her AmeriCorps service contract, and best wishes as you move on to your next endeavor! 1. How long have you been working for BBBS? 1 year 2. What is your favorite memory during the time you have been with BBBS? My favorite memory was of a Little (now matched) that during her interview asked if I could be her Big. My second favorite memory was matching her with one of our amazing Bigs and seeing her reaction. She was all smiles! 3. What do you like to do when you’re not working? I love yoga, hiking and running. I try to be outside as much as possible even if it only for few minutes at a time. 4. What advice would you give a child who is in our program? 1. Try everything once. Be open to new experiences because some of my favorite memories were doing things I would have never thought to try. 2. Be honest about what you are struggling with. People are willing to help you achieve any dream you have if you ask.

GET TO KNOW BBBS STAFF: JESSICA SEIER

FESTIVAL OF THE TREES ENTRY: CALLING ALL MATCHES!

BBBS will be entering a tree in the “Budding Designers” area of the Festival of Trees. Help us fill

our tree with “Match Selfie” ornaments! Take a selfie of you and your Little together and email it to

Jaime at jkeller@bbbs-mv.org. Your picture must be received by Friday, November 14th to be included on

our tree. Not only that, but BBBS will be receiving free tickets to Festival of Trees as well as the Holiday Pops concert (Nov. 21 and Nov. 22)!

More information on that will be coming soon!

COACHES CORNER

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR—NOVEMBER 2014

OUT AND ABOUT IN THE QUAD CITIES! NOVEMBER

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COACHES CORNER V O L U M E 6, I S S U E 11 N O V E M B E R , 2 0 1 4

Saturday, November 1: Augustana Concert Band fall concert. At Augustana College, 3703 7th Avenue, Rock Island, IL. Call 309-794-7306 for more information. Saturday, November 1 and 29: Home Depot Kids’ Workshops- Your Little will enjoy a hands-on workshop geared towards children ages 5-12. Register ahead at http://workshops.homedepot.com/workshops/kids-workshops. Thursday, November 6: Lego Robotics at the Moline Public Library- The Moline Public Library kicks off "Project Next Generation: Dream, Design, Deliver" with a Lego Robotics Workshop series. Teens and Tweens in grades 5 and up will learn how to assemble and program motorized LEGO robots using LEGO Mindstorm kits. Sessions will take place on Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on November 6, 13, and 20 and December 4, 11, and 18. Attendance at all six sessions is recommended. No experience is necessary, but space is limited and registration is required. For more information, or to register for the program, contact Jan at 309-524-2440.

Friday, November 21: Augustana Dance Company will present their fall show at the Centennial Hall of Augustana College. For details, call 309-794-7306 Saturday, November 22: Experience the largest helium-balloon parade in the Midwest! Live marching bands, balloons towering over 3 stories tall, clowns, floats and more. Come and enjoy the holiday festivities during this annual parade. NEW TIME - 10:15 a.m. Afterwards, visit the RiveCenter in downtown Davenport along the parade route and enjoy Quad City Arts Festival of Trees. The Festival of Trees features beautifully decorated Christmas trees, live entertainment, silent auc-tions, and a fun-filled North Pole kids area. *** BBBS will be distributing Festival of Trees tickets. Be watching for that information! *** Sunday, November 30: Enjoy a trip back to yesteryear for the annual Christmas

Walk at Pioneer Village in Long Grove. Santa will be in the General Store with

cookies and hot drinks for sale. There will also be music, crafts and games. Admis-

sion is free with a donation of a non-perishable food item. Call 563-328-3283 to

learn more.

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NEXT STEPS HIGHER EDUCATION WORK SHOP

MATCH ANNIVERSARY

PARTY

BBBS MATCH ACTIVITY—

LET’S BOWL!

AUGUSTANA CONCERT BAND FALL CONCERT

Home Depot

Home Depot

LEGO ROBOTICS

MOLYNEAUX EUCHRE

PIZZA RANCH NIGHT

AUGUSTANA DANCE CO.

Helium Balloon Parade

CHRISTMAS WALK AT PIONEER VILLAGE