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Community Corner

St. Louis Ranked 10th Nationwide in Volunteer Rate

Organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters thank the volunteers who make their mission possible.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of more than 700,000 volunteers in the area, St. Louis has been ranked 10th out of all major cities across the country in its volunteer rate. According to annual research from Volunteering in America, more than 31.3 percent of St. Louis residents donate their time to volunteer work. This, of course, comes as no surprise to the team at Big Brothers Big Sisters. The agency has always relied on the generous contributions of its volunteers.

In 2011, nearly 2,800 volunteers will assist Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri in carrying out its mission of building trusting and enduring relationships that encourage and support young people. By giving the gift of their friendship, each and every one of these volunteers has the unique opportunity to change a child’s life for the better—and often their own along the way!

“We are so grateful for the dedication and generosity of our volunteers,” said Kate Dopuch, senior vice president at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. “By simply being there for a child, Bigs can have an extraordinary impact. They build children up in ways they may never even know. ” 

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As Big Brothers and Big Sisters, volunteers give their Littles an amazing gift simply by offering them their friendship. Littles broaden their understanding by spending time with their Bigs. They get a chance to watch their Bigs and learn new perspectives and new ideas. So whether Bigs and Littles spend time playing outside, working on homework, running errands or just hanging out, it is the fact that they are doing things together that makes all the difference.

If you are interested in information on how to become a Big Brother or Big Sister, or to get your company or organization involved, call Vivian Gibson or Jeremy Lieb at 314-361-5900 today. Also, be sure to visit Big Brothers Big Sisters on the Web at www.BBBSEMO.org.

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