Phil's BIG BBQ at the BallPark Tailgate Fundraiser for BBBS ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Big Brother Steve Sikorski and his little buddy Brant, 9. Last fall, 8-year-old Draven, who suffers from low self-esteem, gave up easily when playing on his soccer team. After hanging out with Will Downing, his 25-year-old volunteer Big Brother for an hour every Wednesday, Draven is eager to join a football team this summer. On Monday, Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County, Phil’s BBQ and the San Diego Padres will host the second annual “BIG BBQ at the Ballpark.” The tailgate barbecue and baseball game event will help raise funds for Operations Bigs, the military mentoring arm of Big Brothers Big Sisters, which serves children with a deployable parent like Draven, whose father is in the Navy. Draven’s mother Liz May said her son’s counselor recommended that he join the Operation Bigs program. His father returned from his deployment last September, but is leaving for Virginia for military schooling on Tuesday. “I have seen a big difference in Draven since he’s done the program,” said May, who was also in the Navy for 12 years. “He’s more optimistic about a lot of things. He tries harder.” Downing agrees with Draven’s progress. “He’s more outgoing now,” Downing said. “He’s not scared to do new things.” Operation Bigs is a site-based mentoring program located at five elementary schools on base at Camp Pendleton. Since 2004, the program has served almost 500 children ages 7 to 12. Once an adult mentor is matched with a child, the pair meets for one hour each week for outdoor activities, indoor games, homework or sharing. “These one-to-one friendships make a positive impact, which is seen in the increase in a child’s self-confidence and in the improvement in their relationships with family, teachers and peers,” said Amy Benson, the program director at Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County. “They stop acting out in school and they are less emotional at home. Their outlook on life changes, and they begin seeing themselves and their lives in a more positive way.” Brant Parrott-Carriker, who is turning 9 years old on Saturday, wanted to join the program so he could play outdoor sports with others while his father was deployed to Afghanistan.
“It’s fun, because when I get to play with Steve it’s like I have a big friend to watch over me when I’m hurt or when I’m sad,” he said. Brant’s Big Brother Steve Sikorski has worked with three children since signing up for the program four years ago. As the son of a Marine and a former Marine himself, Sikorski said he knows what the children of deployed parents go through. “I got involved with these kids because I saw a need,” said Sikorski, who is 62 years old. “I remember when my dad was deployed, how hard it was on my mom. I know that when Marines go off to war and troops are deployed, behind they leave families and kids and a lot of times we just forget about those families and kids.” The rest of the San Diego community has an opportunity to give to military families, too. Last year, the fundraiser garnered $39,000 for the program. Organizer are hoping to match, if not exceed, last year’s funds. “A large portion of our customer base is military,” said Chad Glidewell, sales director for Phil’s BBQ. “We felt it necessary to give back. Since they support us, we would like to support them.” Tickets are $25 per person, and all proceeds will directly benefit Operation Bigs. Event tickets can be purchased at Phil’s BBQ or on the Big Brothers Big Sisters website at www.bbbs.org. Kristina Blake is an SDNN intern. Tags: Amy Benson, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Brant Parrott-Carriker, Camp Pendleton, Draven, Operation Bigs, Padres, Phil's BBQ, Steve Sikorski, Will Downing Read more: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2010-05-14/lifestyle/he-aint-heavy-hes-my-bigbrother#ixzz0o9EOv1Fk
Page 1 and 2: Phil's BIG BBQ at the BallPark Tail
Page 3 and 4: Event description: BIG BBQ AT THE B
Page 5 and 6: May 6, 2010 Phil’s BBQ cooking up
Page 7 and 8: Filipino Press - May 1, 2010 Phil
Page 9: Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Die
Page 14 and 15: Magic - general site
Page 16 and 17: Six local Costco stores sell Phil
Page 20: 5/1710 SWING, BATTER BATTER: Phil

Phil's BIG BBQ at the BallPark Tailgate Fundraiser for BBBS ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?