In Bucks, Big Brothers Big Sisters Works For Kids Through COVID
JAMISON, PA — For a group that pairs up kids in need with a non-family mentor, a pandemic that limits in-person contact is about as tough as it gets.
For Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County, which served about 500 local children last year, this year's coronavirus outbreak has been a major challenge on multiple fronts.
"Although we have had our share of challenges, like many not-for-profits, we have never faced anything like this," said Erin Simmons, program director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County.
After a tough eight months, the group is working both to raise funds and attract volunteers in hopes of ramping up its services again.
Based in Jamison, the nonprofit program — which has been around since 1963 in Bucks County and since 1904 nationally — has had to lay off five of its eight program employees and stop pairing up kids and mentors, or "bigs" and "littles" in the group's terminology.
When shutdown orders came in March, they worked, instead, to continue to support existing matches, which were advised to move to virtual contact like Zoom meetings, email, texts, phone calls and letters.
The group provided virtual activities for "bigs" and the kids they partner with to do virtually.
"Our bigs and littles got creative with this, virtually exploring museums together, watching movies together," Simmons said.
The virus also took a big bite out of the group's finances. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County had to lay off five of its eight program employees as its major fundraising events, usually held in the spring, were canceled.
A school-based program at several Bucks County districts was put on hold, as was enrolling new volunteers and kids and a club for kids enrolled in the program who haven't gotten a big brother or sister yet.
Now, they're hoping to begin new enrollments in January. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, there were 100 children, mostly boys, waiting for "bigs" and that list has likely grown since then, said Simmons.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County plans to launch its annual fundraising appeal soon, Simmons said. The group recently hosted a virtual gala and has held online Zoom bingo nights to raise funds.
In previous years, the group has hosted a holiday party for nearly 200 kids, with each getting a personalized gift and has helped out multiple families with both Thanksgiving meals and Christmas gifts.
Neither is possible this year, Simmons said, although the group is still trying to help some kids and families in need with gift cards for food and gifts. About 70 percent of the children served by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County are from low-income families, she said.
Anyone interested in volunteering or donating may find information on doing so at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County website. You may also keep up with the group and its events on Facebook.
This story is part of Patch's Headlining Hope series, which profiles local nonprofits and charitable organizations in need of volunteers and resources. If you know of a local organization that should be profiled, contact doug.gross@patch.com.
This article originally appeared on the Warminster Patch
