Looking for more big brothers, sisters

BY MARC LALONDE

marc.lalonde@transcontinental.ca



Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the West Island is feverishly looking for new volunteers for its mentoring programs, director Gloria Coulter said the day after three of the organization’s most dedicated volunteers were honoured with Circle of Friends awards.

“We desperately need volunteers,� she said. “Our in-school mentoring program is now in 27 schools, and we can place people close to their homes so they wouldn’t have to go very far to give their time.�

Coulter was effusive in her praise of three West Island volunteers — Joe Gagnon, Dick Hovey and Shirley Stupik. Gagnon and Hovey have been in-school mentors since 1999, while Stupik has been a tireless volunteer for more than a decade as well as serving as secretary to the board of directors.

“Oh, they’re fantastic,� Coulter said. “If we could clone them, we would. Shirley Stupik has been involved with the mentoring program since the beginning, and it was just fantastic to see these volunteers getting up and talking about how it has changed their life. Absolutely wonderful evening.�

The awards gala, held at Terra Mare restaurant in Dollard des Ormeaux, also saw a number of local corporations honoured for their commitment to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the West Island.

Circle of Friends award winners included:

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), for its longtime commitment to young people. For instance, the CIBC Youthvision Scholarship program provides tuition funding to 30 young people every year, and in the last eight years, nine of those scholarships have gone to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the West Island clients.

Avon Canada, for their continued participation in the Bowl for Kids Sake fundraiser, wherein employees bowl during a workday with colleagues while raising funds for a worthy cause.

Boccacinos Restaurant in Dollard des Ormeaux, whose owners, George and Jimmy Vlakos, cover all costs and provide the venue for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the West Island’s annual Valentine’s Day fundraising breakfast — and have, every year for the last half-decade.

Several local schools were also honoured, among them St. John Fisher elementary school in Pointe Claire, for its selection of Big Brothers and Big Sisters as one of three charities chosen to receive funds raised by the school’s annual Walk to Benefit Others, and Beaconsfield High School, for its commitment to recruiting students to act as mentors. In its first year of recruiting, BHS managed to turn up 20 volunteer mentors.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the West Island will host a fundraising spaghetti dinner — organized by the John Abbott College Centre for Continuing Education — Dec. 7 at the Karnak Temple on Sources Boulevard in Dollard des Ormeaux. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

For more information, to buy tickets or to volunteer your time, call the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the West Island at 514-694-6100.