 |
 JANUARY 2012 - The Zonta Club of Woodstock has generously donated $3000 once again to keep our Go Girls! Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds program running. Thank you! Media ReleaseSentinel Review Photo – Thursday March 17th at 3:30pm What a great ‘fit’! Big Brothers Big Sisters of Woodstock and District is taking a proactive step to helping youth with local partners: GoodLife Fitness, Zonta Club of Woodstock and Woodstock Foodland. This amazing team of community minded groups value active living, nutrition and balance as a way for youth to make healthy decisions. We would like to acknowledge support from: • Woodstock Foodland: Chris Chapman, Owner • GoodLife Fitness: Cameron Tweedle, General Manager and Jessica Hallock• Zonta Club of Woodstock: Ann Campbell, President
Since 2009, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Woodstock and District have provided the Go-Girls! Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds program, serving 132 young girls. This mentoring program is designed to encourage physical activity participation, healthy eating choices, and the development of a positive self-image, among girls ages 12 to 14. This program has been very successful in both schools and the community. We are now in the process of seeking sponsors for a similar program for boys called Game On! Eat Smart, Play Smart, Live Smart, ages 11-14 years. In this action packed program, male participants try different types of physical activity, eat healthy snacks, discuss nutrition and experience a variety of recreational activities available in the City of Woodstock and District. They develop awareness about what it really means to be a guy. Topics explored, include male stereotypes, media advertising tactics, bullying and positive stress management. The format of GAME ON! is similar to the successful Go Girls program with weekly activities for seven weeks. Volunteer male mentors, trained by staff, lead the program using OPHEA (Ontario Physical and Health Education Association) approved materials made available through BBBS of Canada. GoodLife Kids Foundation: Seed Funding for Game-on Staff and members at Woodstock Quality Inn believe in being role models and inspiring kids to get active. Last June, they hosted the “Battle of the Clients” fundraising event to raise funds to support the GoodLife Kids Foundation. The Battle of the Clients is a challenge where personal trainers and their clients enter a team to compete against other trainers and clients in different fitness events such as: a truck push and pull, running relays, obstacle courses, push-ups challenge, football kick, etc. This event was part of a cross Canada fundraising campaign hosted in all GoodLife Fitness Clubs. Woodstock Quality Inn was one of the Top 10 Fundraisers out of 159 clubs. Their efforts have been recognized with a $3000 grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Woodstock & District. This year’sBattle of the Clients event will take place on Saturday June 4th.Zonta Club of Woodstock: Funds for Go Girls! The women of the Zonta Club of Woodstock have been offering their energy and enthusiasm to advance the status of women worldwide since 1960. Their ongoing efforts and generosity of $3000 to the agency have allowed for continued delivery of the GO Girls! program. This kind of advocacy complements the Zonta mandate of empowering women through mentorship. Through fundraising events, such as, The Golf Classic which is scheduled this year for Monday June 6th, the Zonta Club is able to continue to support the Go-Girls! program. We recognize that these young women of today will be the leaders of tomorrow and we have the opportunity to contribute to their growth through this wonderful mentorship program for girls. Woodstock Foodland:The Grocery Foundation Mr. Chapman made a donation request on behalf of Big Brothers and Big Sisters to The Grocery Foundation, a charitable organization comprised of representatives from the Ontario grocery industry for $5000. Each year, The Grocery Foundation raises funds through its 'Toonies For Tummies" campaign in grocery stores across the province and in return, donates the money back to food related programs that support the province's youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Woodstock and District will be using the donation to help fund programs which promote healthy lifestyle choices for the youth of Woodstock.  Elliot Ferguson photo/Sun Media Boston Pizza waiter Tony Bloxsidge is donating his tips to buy Christmas gifts for children involved in Big Brothers and Big Sisters prgrams. Sun Media photo Elliot Ferguson/Woodstock Sentinel-Review/03/12/2009 
Tony Bloxsidge is trying to reach an ambitious goal to help as many little brothers and sisters as he can. Bloxsidge works part-time at Woodstock's Boston Pizza and has been saving all of his tips since Oct. 1. He is putting that money -- about half of his initial goal of $5,000 -- towards gifts for unmatched little brothers and little sisters who will attend a Christmas party at the restaurant on Dec. 20. Today is the last shift he'll be putting aside tips, given his plans on shopping for the gifts over this weekend. "I wanted to do something to help out some organization, and Big Brothers-Big Sisters came to mind," Bloxsidge said.
A former big brother whose schedule no longer allows the time to be part of a match, his previous experiences with the organization left him with a level of comfort with this organization. He explained he's helped an individual family with a similar tip-saving campaign in the past but wanted to go further this year. Between 70 and 80 children are currently on the waiting list to be matched with a big sibling by Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Woodstock and District, executive director Diane Hatfield said. They are brought together on a regular basis to participate in activities with Big Brothers-Big Sisters staff and volunteers and the Boston Pizza party will be one of their holiday events this year. "We are very fortunate Tony chose to help us this way," Hatfield said. "We will give him the wish lists tonight."
Bloxsidge said people at the restaurant have been supportive of his goal through tips, dress-down days for wait staff and donations. The restaurant will be closed to the public that Sunday morning so the kids can have their festivities, participate in some activities and also meet the big red elf himself. Bloxsidge's last tip-collecting shift is afternoon to close today. |
Boston Pizza and Big Brothers/Big Sisters Event December 20th
Written by Blair R. Wilson
Big Brother and Big Sisters of Woodstock continue to make a difference in a child's life -with a few helping hands.
Boston Pizza is opening its doors and its hearts as they help organize a special event for children and their families
Executive Director of the Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Woodstock and District, Diane Hatfield says "the people at Boston Pizza have organized a wonderful event for our families on the 20th of December."
"they are going to have a dinner there for our unmatched kids and they are organizing a toy drive for this event"
There are more than 80 children that are currently on the waiting list to be matched with a big sibling.
The restaurant will be closed to the public that Sunday morning to accomodate the kids and their festivities.
|
| Elliot Ferguson photo/Sentinel-ReviewDiane Hatfield, right, and Cheri Palmer of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Woodstock and District accept a donation from members of the Home Builders of Woodstock and District. The money was raised at the home builders annual golf tournament in Mount Elgin. Representing the homebuilders are, from left, Mario Spina, John Goodman, Corey Van Vliet and George Geerlinks.Sun Media photo Elliot Ferguson/Woodstock Sentinel-Review/08/10/2009 |
 |
| Alan Carriere of London polishes his 2008 Mustang GT California Special during the sixth annual Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Woodstock and District Car Show in the parking lot at the Canadian Tire outlet in Woodstock Sunday. About 150 cars and trucks from all eras were on display at the event where proceeds went to Big Brothers and Big Sisters' memtoring programs. John Tapley
Woodstock Sentinel Review September 22, 2009 |
| Kerry Smith, left, and Jean White were volunteers during the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Tour of Homes. They are in the backyard of a home of the tour located on Eastview Avenue. Heather Rivers
Woodstock Sentinel Review September 15, 2009 |
Pictured below Ernie Hardeman MPP Oxford Riding, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Woodstock & District represenatives:
Executive Director, Diane Hatfield; Past President, Angela
Piovesan; President, Cheri Palmer
|  |
|