Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County celebrated the 2022 BIG Event at Hotel Retlaw in Downtown Fond du Lac on July 28. We honored our Big of the Year, congratulated graduating matches, auctioned off some incredible items and cheered on our favorite mixologists. With over 60 live and silent auction items, a one-of-a-kind “Box of Rocks” necklace donated by The Goldsmith and generous donations made at the event, we raised almost $40,000 to support local children with powerful mentoring relationships!
We heard from BBBS families, like Nicole, whose son is in the program. She praised the program for providing a stable male role model for her son when he needed it most. We also heard another Little Brother’s experience when LJ read his original poem “The Not So Yellow Brick Road.” Not a dry eye in the house, LJ spoke about his personal experience growing up and how his Big Brother, Dave, helped change his perspective on his future. Listen to LJ’s poem here.
4imprint’s Casey Wix was honored as our 2022 Big of the Year. While Casey couldn’t be in attendance to accept the award, her Little Brother, Dakota, was in the audience to accept it on her behalf.
Not only were Casey and Dakota honored with the Big of the Year award, but they were also one of our graduating matches. This year, 10 matches reached this milestone. These incredible friendships, ranging from 3 to 11 years together, graduated from our program as the Little either turned 18 or graduated from high school.
Throughout the evening, “Celebrity Mixologists” kept guests both entertained and hydrated with specialty cocktails. Adam Stone, Teri Wall and Renee Breister from National Exchange Bank & Trust showcased their watermelon vodka drink “The Life $aver,” Kelly Norton and Jenny Drake from Grande Cheese Company spiced it up with their mango jalapeño “Mango Twist,” and Glenn Elmer and Kevin Jones from Adashun Jones Real Estate brought in the dry ice for their cranberry “Foggy Inferno.” After three years of mixology at the BIG Event, Mark Deiderichs and Kurt Petik from Breeze Dairy Group and Rabo Financial finally took home the title of best mixologist with their Crown Royal “Peach Breeze.”
The prizes, auctions and cocktails may be over, but there are still other BIG ways to get involved! There are currently 119 Littles waiting for a mentor in Fond du Lac County, 70 of which are young boys. That’s why Fond du Lac County Executive Sam Kaufman helped us kick off our 30 Guys in 30 Days campaign at the BIG Event! Sam spoke about his experience as a past Big Brother, and how male mentors are needed now more than ever. You can join us this September as we aim to recruit 30 new male mentors in just 30 days. EIGHT people already stepped up to become Bigs at the event — click here to get started.
Our Board President, Katie Moder, ended the night by reflecting on her own experience as a Big Sister and introduced a new way to get involved at BBBS: Partners 4 Potential! Partners 4 Potential is an easy way to support matches through monthly giving. Just $10 a month enrolls a child into the program, and $25 a month connects Bigs and Littles with fun match activities. It’s that easy! Click here to learn more about the special perks and sign up today.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County is a United Way Agency that assists children with social, emotional and character development through one-to-one mentoring relationships with caring adults. The agency matches children with a Big Brother, Sister, Couple or Family in a community or school-based program. Children aged 6 through 13 can enroll in the program through parent or guardian referral. For more information about the program or to volunteer, call 920-922-8200 or visit www.bbbsfdl.org.
