This past holiday season, the Adopt-A-Family program ran through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lacombe and District delivered warmth, joy, and generosity to 33 families across Lacombe County, including in Blackfalds, Eckville, Clive, Bentley, and Lacombe.
"Thanks to the incredible support from donors and volunteers, 69 children and their families experienced the magic of the holidays," said Brianna Berthiaume, executive director.
She noted that the program’s impact is reflected in the words of a family who received support who said, "Thank you so much for all this. It really means the world to us. It’s been a really hard year, so this is a big blessing."
For Big Brothers Big Sisters, the program is a foundation of community connection, embodying the true spirit of the season, she said.
"Adopt-A-Family is about more than gifts under the tree, it’s about providing help, hope, and joy to families who need it most. This program creates cherished memories and a sense of belonging during a time when it’s most needed."
The success of this program wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of the 29 donors, the dedication of volunteers who delivered gifts, and the support of Dancer’s Edge Studio, who provided their facility as a hub of holiday cheer, she said.
Meanwhile, the 2024 Festival of Wreaths was also a resounding success, bringing the community together in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lacombe and District.
"With 52 beautifully crafted wreaths up for auction, the event raised an incredible $10,360 to help fund mentoring programs that make a lasting difference in the lives of local youth," said Berthiaume.
"Mentoring matters, and so does the support from our community. An impressive 72 per cent of funds raised in 2024 in Big Brothers Big Sisters were through events like the Festival of Wreaths, along with donations, directly supporting the 440 mentoring relationships that were built.
"Big Brothers Big Sisters extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this year’s Festival of Wreaths from the talented wreath creators to the generous bidders who made the event such a success."
Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations, and others in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters works to pair youth with screened volunteer mentors. The organization has a 33-year-long history in the Lacombe area.
Folks can sign up for one-to-one mentoring which can take place in a local school for one hour each week. There is also community-based, one-to-one mentoring, which has mentors spending in the neighborhood of six to eight hours each month with their mentee.
For more about how to get involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit https://lacombe.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca or call 403-782-7870.
