NEWS

Big Brothers Big Sisters looks ahead to future

Matthew Kent
Reporter

CHILLICOTHE – The new leader of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Ohio said Sunday he hopes to get more volunteers involved with the organization in order to continue its mission of mentoring children facing adversity.

Shawnee Lanes served as the site of the Bowl for Kids Sake fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Ohio on Sunday. The organization hopes to gain more volunteers this year as part of its mission to mentor children facing adversity.

Bob Neal, a former radio broadcaster and past president of the Pump House Center for the Arts, serves as president and CEO of the Chillicothe-based agency, which recruits volunteers to help children reach their potential through one-on-one mentoring relationships. Neal took over the position once filled by Christy Schreick, who stepped down in the fall to accept another job.

Schreick followed longtime director Karen McDonald-Myers, who spent nearly three decades with Big Brothers Big Sisters, including almost 20 years in Chillicothe. However, the transition for Neal is one he is willing to take on.

"It's my job now to keep the agency on a path continuing to focus on the programming while creating the awareness that we need to increase the revenue that can allow us to keep the programs going," Neal said.

Shawnee Lanes was the site of Sunday's Bowl for Kids Sake fundraiser, which accounts for one-third of Big Brothers Big Sisters' budget. The organization also receives funding from the Paint Valley ADAMH Board, United Way of Ross County, in addition to several grants.

Still, Neal said there is a greater need for men to help volunteer and will remain a focus this year moving forward.

Bob Neal recently took over as president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Ohio and hopes to gain more volunteers to help children.

"I'd like to find ways to market ourselves, related to sports, do some more sports marketing, find guy stuff to do, that's probably our biggest challenge for 2015," Neal said. "We're looking for reliable adults, the time commitment is not as great as you think: an hour a week, a couple of hours every couple weeks, a few hours a month and we do ask for a one-year commitment and we're looking to change lives for the better forever, so we'd like these relationships to last years."

Luke Feeney, board president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Ohio, said Neal has been received well by the community and the staff and noted he has been able to do many things since taking over as its leader. Feeney also agreed with Neal that more mentors and volunteers are needed.

"Bob's got a lot of good ideas about the future of the organization and he believes in a lot in sustainability and taking it to the next level, so we're excited about that," Feeney said. "We just need to help more children and we always have a waiting list of about 100 kids and that number's OK if it's turning over a lot, but it's not right now, and we really need to focus on getting more volunteers, more mentors, and so I think that Bob and I share that goal to increase mentorship, to increase volunteers, to increase the awareness of what the organization does and the real positive impact it can have on a child's life."

WANT TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER?

To help Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Ohio as a volunteer, call 740-773-2447. The organization has various opportunities available, including in-school mentoring, depending on time commitments a person wants to give.