freshare.net
Kansas City, Mo.— Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, along with Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi Missouri (BBBSAM) and the Tour of Missouri, announced a partnership between the two organizations. The program for children of incarcerated parents will be the official beneficiary of the Tour.
“I am pleased that Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi Missouri will be the official charity of the second Tour of Missouri professional cycling race,” said Lt. Governor Kinder, a strong advocate for the program and recipient of the BBBS Visionary Award. “This program is changing lives and bettering the future of young people across our state. It is my hope that this partnership will be beneficial for a number of Missouri children.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi Missouri (BBBSAM) is a statewide mentoring partnership program with an overall goal to build a network of quality one-to-one mentoring services for children of incarcerated parents and change their lives for the better, forever. In partnership with local BBBS agencies and Missouri Department of Corrections, BBBSAM aims to ensure that children, no matter where they live or move, have the opportunity to be matched with a caring and consistent Big Brother or Big Sister to help them with the ups and downs of daily life.
“We are excited that our organization has been chosen as the beneficiary of this year’s Tour of Missouri,´ said Becky James-Hatter, President/CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missourt. “Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder’s committment to Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi Missouri has allowed the program to be a great success for the children we serve.”
The 2008 Tour of Missouri is a seven day race featuring 15 elite international professional cycling teams crossing the state. The race begins on Sept. 8 with a stage race from St. Joseph to Kansas City, and finishes with a circuit race in St. Louis on Sunday, Sept. 14. Charitable activities and auctions throughout cities along the course will benefit BBBSAM.
“It is a privilege to support the BBBSAM program,” said Chris Aronhalt, event director with Medalist Sports and organizer of the Tour of Missouri. “It is gratifying to know that beginning with the Tour’s opening gala in Kansas City on September 6, to the finish in St. Louis on September 14, proceeds from a number of activities will benefit local children.” For more information about the Tour of Missouri visit http://www.tourofmissouri.com.
Big Brothers Big Sisters pairs kids from one-parent homes with adult volunteers in a one-to-one friendship. Children who are matched with a “Big” report improved self esteem, better grades and better family relationships.
For more information about BBBS-KC, please contact Kristi Hutchison, Marketing Director, at 816-777-2871 or send e-mail to .
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City matches school-aged children from one-parent or non traditional households with caring, adult mentors. “Bigs” and “Littles” spend a couple hours a week together doing normal, everyday activities. Kids who are enrolled in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program report improved self esteem, receive better grades and are less likely to begin using drugs and alcohol. Visit http://www.bigbrothersbigsisterskc.org to learn more.