As a part of the new series reviewing the Rush County Community Foundation’s “designated endowment” funds, we’ll be taking a weekly look at the Rush County nonprofit organizations that have funds that support their mission and work held at RCCF.  This week’s installment focuses on Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rush County.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rush County’s vision is successful mentoring relationships for all children who need and want them, contributing to better schools, stronger communities, and brighter futures.  Rush County is fortunate to have volunteers that strive to fulfill this mission by adopting our community’s youth to mentor.  The adult volunteers, known as “bigs”, assist with the development of their “adopted” youth, known as “littles”, in various ways.  Simple interactions we take for granted, like learning to cook or visiting the covered bridges of Rush County, might be an activity in which bigs/littles partake.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rush County organization is able to make a big impact despite limited resources.  Programs lead by the Big Brothers Big Sisters group include Lunch Buddies, where an adult volunteer meets with an elementary student weekly for lunch and Sports Buddies, a program where a child enrolled in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program can get assistance to play the sport of their choice (baseball, soccer, softball, etc.).  Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rush County provides not only the financial support to purchase the equipment but also finds and carefully screens a volunteer to take the child to practices and games.

The Rush County Community Foundation is proud to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rush County in various ways.  The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rush County Fund, an endowment fund held at the Foundation, provides annual support that helps to support the big/little monthly outings.  Monthly outings provide a fun group activity beyond specified programs and big/little outings, which might include bowling, an evening at the Rush County Fair, or even a trip sledding at Perfect North Slopes.  These monthly outings are costly for a group, but with the help of supporters and the Big Brothers Big Sisters Fund at the Rush County Community Foundation, they are a fun event for all that is possible.  In addition to supporting the Big Brothers Big Sisters program via their endowment fund, the Foundation has given grants exceeding $10,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters to assist with administrative needs, fundraising efforts, and increased program support.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rush County currently has 18 big/little matches (12 girls and 6 boys) in the program.  Despite the impressive enrollment numbers, 20 youth exist on the waitlist, eager to have an adult mentor.  Rush County folks are needed to help usher in a brighter future for our kids and our community.  If you are unable to give time, we encourage you to consider a donation to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rush County Fund.  Supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rush County, either with you time or finances, ensures that our future generations of Rush County youth have a brighter future.

To learn more about the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rush County Fund, visit our website www.rushcountyfoundation.org, our office at 117 N. Main St., or give us a call at (765) 938-1177.