Off to a Good Start
BIG Breakfast: Building Futures
Tuesday, Oct. 10, 8–9 a.m.
Northern Kentucky Convention Center
1 W Rivercenter Blvd., Covington
This year’s breakfast celebrates leadership in the construction industry.
For tickets visit bigbreakfast.givesmart.com.
Breakfast, it’s said, is the most important meal of the day. That’s especially true for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati, whose annual BIG Breakfast is a big fundraiser for the organization.
Last year, the BIG Breakfast raised more than $200,000 to support
“The BIG Breakfast is a true ‘mission momen’ event,” says Deb Haas, marketing and public relations manager with Big Brothers Big Sisters. “Our incredible panel of speakers will share stories of successes and challenges, and the impact and importance mentoring has played—in both their professional and personal lives. We all have had mentors in our lives who encouraged, guided and supported us, and this is a chance to learn more about how leaders in our community navigated a path to success, and how they make it a mission to share their knowledge and mentorship with each other and the next generation.”
The 2023 Building Futures BIG Breakfast brings together four of Cincinnati's most respected and influential business leaders in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Tim Steigerwald, president of Messer Construction, will join Molly North, CEO of Al. Neyer; Bill Baker, vice president and managing partner of MSA Design; and Michele O’Rourke, CEO of O-Rourke Wrecking Company for a discussion on the importance of mentoring in their personal and business lives.
Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), in the TriState. The most well known program gives Bigs and Littles an opportunity to experience a wide range of activities. These activities are a fun bonding experience for all involved.
But Big Brothers Big Sisters also provides site-based activities at Boys & Girls Club. Bigs can play games, share lunch, help with homework and build a friendship with the Littles.
“There have been many significant happenings at our agency this past year!” says Haas. “We're excited to start a new mentoring program called 'Beyond School Walls,' in which we pair a school with a business. Once a month, middle and high school students leave campus and are taken to a nearby partner company to meet with their Bigs. The goal is that they learn what its like to be in a work environment, learn job skills, and find a potential career. Like our current programs, Bigs and LIttles maintain a one-to-one friendship throughout the year. These programs have just begun and we continue to look for new companies to get involved.”
For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has worked to ensure that all children in our program reach their full potential.
“Our agency has two key needs: New volunteers to become Big Brother/Big Sister mentors to kids in the 13-county Greater Cincinnati region we serve, and financial investments to allow us to serve these matches,” says Haas. “For people not in a position to become a Big right now, help us schedule a Lunch & Learn at work or with a community group, volunteer at one of our events, refer someone to be a Big, follow us (and share!) on social media, put us in touch with friends, community leaders and/or others who may support our agency.”