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News

    Big Brother honored

By SAM EGGLESTON, Journal Ishpeming Bureau
POSTED: May 12, 2008 in Mining Journal

NEGAUNEE — For Cory Rowe, the awards just don’t matter — a plaque or a certificate will never equal the rewards he already gets.
Rowe is a Big Brother, mentoring two young boys, Bryce, 12, and Josiah, 9. The LeMaire brothers, both of Negaunee, are reasons Rowe participates in the program as much as he does.
“I’ve already been rewarded,” said Rowe. “Being able to spend time with the boys and go and do things, that’s more than enough of a reward.”
While Rowe isn’t looking for accolades for his mentorship of the LeMaire brothers, other people have come to the conclusion that he deserves more recognition. That’s why Rowe, along with five others, is a finalist for the 2008 Governor’s Service Awards in the category of Mentor of the Year.
According to a press release from Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s office, the award honors an individual who has made a significant difference in a child’s life over time through mentoring.
The finalists will be recognized June 19 at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. The finalists are chosen from nominations throughout the state of Michigan. The event is funded by sponsors like Ford Motor Company, W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, among others.
“Michigan’s volunteer heroes give (up) their time and talent without thought of praise or recognition,” said Granholm in a prepared statement. “The value of volunteers and their impact on local communities is highlighted by the willingness of Michigan’s corporate leaders to step forward and sponsor this event. We are grateful for the volunteers and the support of our sponsors.”
The nomination alone is something Rowe never expected.
“It’s an honor,” said the Negaunee resident, who is the co-owner of Midtown Bakery Cafe and Antiques. “But I don’t need to win an award. I’m honored I was nominated, but being a part of the life of these kids is enough.”
Rowe said he tries to spend time with the LeMaire brothers each week, though the program he is a part of, Big Brothers Big Sisters, only requires a four-hour commitment per month.
Being a mentor is a relatively new experience for Rowe, 50, who has been doing this for the past several years. He said mentoring has allowed him to experience a part of a life he wouldn’t have experienced otherwise.
“I never had children and Bryce and JoJo are the sons I never had,” Rowe said. “I lost my dad when I was young and I didn’t have a Big Brother to mentor me, neither did my brother. We grew up without a father as well, and I’d hate to see two little boys like this do the same when I can be there for them.”
Rowe said he hopes his nomination will help get the word out about the importance of being a mentor. He said that Big Brothers Big Sisters is always looking for volunteers, especially men who would be interested in mentoring boys in need of proper role models.
“It’s a great thing to be a part of,” Rowe said. “I hope more people get involved. There are a lot of young boys, especially up here, that need them.”
In addition to Rowe’s nomination, the Medical Care Access Coalition of Marquette is a finalist for the Outstanding Volunteer Program Award, which acknowledges the importance an organization or club makes in community life.

Press Release: July 26, 2007

“Opening Doors” Conference held
Spotlight Photo - The Mining Journal

Members of the local Marquette and Alger County Big Brothers Big Sisters agency recently attended the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America “Opening Doors” National Conference in Scottsdale, Ariz. Keynote speakers for the conference included Kate Snow of ABC News and Susan L. Taylor, editorial director of Essence Magazine and founder of Essence Cares, a mentoring initiative. Members collectively attended more than 30 trainings and workshops on board leadership and community and school based mentoring. BBBS board members at the conference are, in the front row, Andrew Bek, president, and Kristie Buruse, vice president. In the top row are Jayne Letts, executive director, and Kevin Koch, treasurer. For more information about BBBS call 475-7801.

Press Release: July 24, 2007

Range Bank Run
Camilli, Oppliger roar

NEGAUNEE — Mike Camilli of Marquette and Shawn Oppliger of Hancock took the top honors in the Range Bank/Big Brothers Big Sisters Pioneer Days Fun Run/Walk 2007 on Saturday, July 14, in Negaunee.

Camilli finished first overall in the men’s division 10-kilometer event with a time of 35:16. Oppliger finished first overall in the women’s 10-K event with a time of 43:21.

Nik Klena of Marquette placed first overall in the men’s two mile with a time of 13:19.

Pamela Malmsten of Ishpeming finished first overall in the women’s division with a 17:40.

Sponsored by Range Bank, the race/walk benefited Big Brothers Big Sisters of Marquette County and will be used to help match more children.

Approximately 150 runners and walkers participated in this Negaunee Pioneer Days event.

Press Release: August 27, 2006

Mentors needed for kids with diabetes
By SAM EGGLESTON Journal Staff Writer of the Mining Journal

MARQUETTE — Anyone want to dive right in and take a SWIM?

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Marquette and Alger counties are hoping quite a few people are ready to take the plunge and be a part of the new program entitled SWIM, or Sharing With Insulin-using Mentors.

“Ann Constance from UPDON (Upper Peninsula Diabetes Outreach Network) approached me at a meeting and asked about matching adults with type 1 diabetes with children with type 1 diabetes,” said Marquette County Big Brothers/Big Sisters executive director Jayne Letts. “We thought that was a great way to provide support for those kids and to model healthy behavior.”

The program — a combined effort between Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the U.P. Diabetes Outreach Network, Bell Hospital and Marquette General Health System — is designed to help children with diabetes through support and guidance. Children with type 1 diabetes will be paired with an older youth or an adult who also deals with the chronic condition.

“We’re hoping this becomes a very popular program,” said Constance, director of the U.P. Diabetes Outreach Network. “Right now we’re going to trial it in just Marquette and Alger counties. We’d like to see it grow, maybe even getting some Northern Michigan University students involved.”

The SWIM program is looking for volunteers who are older youth or adults with type 1 diabetes who are willing to spend 4-6 hours per month with a child or young teen with the condition.

Initially, the mentors and mentees — or bigs and littles — will meet one-on-one but in a group setting with professionals from Marquette General and the U.P. Diabetes Outreach Network. Once the group sessions are done, the pairs will meet by themselves.

“Kids with type 1 diabetes are a group that can be forgotten,” Constance said. “This kind of person-to-person contact will help them a lot. They can meet with someone close to their age and talk about things like movies, parties and sports. Kids with diabetes want to do those kinds of things. Kids don’t want to be different.”

Having strong leadership to teach children how to manage their diabetes early in life can help prevent serious and disabling complications. Some include cardiovascular disease, chronic renal failure, retinal damage that can lead to blindness, nerve damage and gangrene with risk of amputation of toes, feet and legs.

“It’s not just the mentors who will be helping the kids,” Constance said. “The kids could help the mentors, too. If they’re volunteering to be a mentor, they’re going to have to live the life they’re teaching. It could be beneficial for both.”

For more information about the program or to volunteer, contact Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Marquette County at 475-7801 or in Alger County at 387-1711.

Success Story

Sam describes his big brother James as excellent and awesome.  Sam says he is doing better with his life: he likes school better and is staying out of trouble!

Page last updated on 07/02/2008