Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh recognizes volunteers

Last night Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh recognized local volunteers and community partners at an award ceremony at the Shadow Lounge in East Liberty.  Those honored include:

Amanda Gunther as the Washington County Advisory Board Member of the Year. Ms. Gunther is the Assistant Director of New Student Programs at Washington & Jefferson College and has been active in engaging students on campus and through supporting BBBS events.  

J.J. Richardson, Male Recruitment Advisory Board Member of the Year.  Mr. Richardson, of Pittsburgh, is the co-chairman of the Male Recruitment Advisory Board.  Also a member of the BBBS Board of Directors and chairman of the Development Committee, Mr. Richardson is a Big Brother, actively spending time with his Little twice each month.  He is an attorney with Goehring, Rutter and Boehm.

Trisha Hyatt, Big Speakers Bureau Member of the Year.  Ms. Hyatt, of Monongahela, spends time with her Little Sister each month.  As the vice president of the Young Professionals Outreach Board and Washington County Advisory Board, she speaks at training sessions and helps with hosting BBBS events.  She is employed by the University of Pittsburgh, Career Services Department.

Mike Rethage, Young Professional Outreach Board Member of the Year.  Mr. Rethage, of Monroeville, spends time with his Little Brother each month.  He also volunteers three to five hours each month as Chairman of the BBBS Young Professional Outreach Board.  Mr. Rethage actively recruits BBBS volunteers and speaks at events. He is a consultant for SDLC Partners.

Mr. Richardson, Ms. Hyatt and Mr. Rethage were also awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, Bronze Level that was presented by United States Army Captain Glenn Mallia and Military Family Network Vice President Megan Turak.  The Bronze level award recognizes those who have given 100 to 174 hours of volunteer service.  The award is an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service and is administered by the Points of Light Institute to encourage United States citizens to live a life of service.

BBBS also recognized the Pittsburgh Power and Riverset Credit Union as Community Partners of the Year.  The Pittsburgh Power supported BBBS in a variety of ways throughout the last year. Several players enjoyed the annual skating party with the Bigs and Littles.  The team was also generous in donating tickets to matches and even inviting one mentor and Little to do the coin toss for a game.

Riverset Credit Union has raised over $10,000 through the BBBS of Greater Pittsburgh Bowl for Kids Sake fundraising event. Representatives have also supported BBBS as speakers at staff meetings.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh is part of the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network that helps children in its program achieve educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relations.  Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in the community, BBBS of Greater Pittsburgh pairs children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 13, with screened volunteer mentors (“Bigs”).

BBBS of Greater Pittsburgh serves about 1,200 children annually in Allegheny, Washington and Greene counties and has earned national recognition for program quality and organizational excellence.