Chico, California (March 10, 2009) –  Alexa Valavanis, CEO of North Valley Community Foundation (NVCF), announced today that NVCF is joining with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Butte County to stimulate community support for this vital community service. “The current economic situation has created funding shortages for Big Brothers/Big Sisters which may close the doors for this important organization”, states Valavanis, “this is a nonprofit our community can’t afford to lose.”

The fund drive will be known as the “Big Push” to reflect the effort necessary to maintain the services offered by Big Brothers/Big Sisters. With an annual budget of $200,000, Big Brothers/Big Sisters has directly impacted the lives of more than 500 boys and girls who have benefited from their services. This year the organization needs an additional $50,000 to continue these services.

For the past ten years, Big Brothers/Big Sisters has served the community through youth mentoring services. Their purpose is to build, strengthen and promote positive relationships between youth, adults and families by facilitating mentoring relationships within our community. Big Brothers/Big Sisters provides children with adult friends in their lives to help guide them through life's many obstacles.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters is a proven prevention program for youth,” according to Kathy Barrett, Executive Director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. “We provide them with a caring, responsible mentor through professionally supported one-on-one relationships. We are confident the youth we serve are much more likely to become contributing members of our community as a result of our services.”

Approximately 75% of the annual income for Big Brothers/Big Sisters comes from special events, including an annual golf tournament and The Big Event, where local community members obtain pledges to support their candidacy. The remaining income has come from community donations. This year, special event income and donations are down, leaving a need for approximately $50,000 in new donations this year.

“We are inviting you to be part of this magic that helps transform boys and girls into responsible adults,” states Valavanis. ”Your donation directly translates into better lives for the youth of our community. In our own lives, each one of us was touched by someone - other than our parents - who broadened our horizons and brought a little magic into our lives. Your donation helps ensure that all children have access to this kind of relationship.”

Donations for the “Big Push” program may be made directly to Big Brothers/Big Sisters, 358 E 6th Street, Chico CA 95928, or to North Valley Community Foundation, 3120 Cohasset Rd, Suite 8, Chico CA 95973. Donations can also be made on-line at www.nvcf.org to the “Big Push Fund”.

 
NVCF is a nonprofit, philanthropic organization that builds financial resources to meet community needs through grants and programs. With net assets of more than $5 million, NVCF provides financial and administrative services to donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations with the goal of enriching the quality of life of its community members. Since 1989, hundreds of individuals, families, businesses, and community groups have established funds at the Foundation.  NVCF is located at 3120 Cohasset Rd., Suite 8 in Chico, California, (530) 891-1150.  Details of the Foundation’s activities can also be found at www.nvcf.org.