Starting Nine Event

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass/Metrowest is happy to announce this year’s “Starting Nine” event, brought to the Worcester community by Unum on July 30. 

The “Starting Nine” is an annual event in which Little Brothers and Little Sisters are asked to write essays that explain the importance of having a Big Brother or Big Sister.  These essays are submitted to Unum, who selects the top nine essays and asks the writers to be a part of the “Starting Nine.” 

The “Starting Nine” Littles and their Bigs are invited to participate at a Worcester Tornadoes game. The honored matches are given special jerseys with their names on the back, throw out the first pitches and lead the crowd in a chant of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” After the baseball game, Friday night fireworks are set off.  

We would love everyone in the Worcester community and beyond to join Big Brothers Big Sisters, Unum and the “Starting Nine” matches at the Tornadoes game on the evening of Friday, July 30. Tickets will be on sale for only $25!

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Vice President of Programs, Melanie Perreault, says: “Our partnership with Unum makes such a big impact on the involved kids. Unum is a leader in the BBBS community, as displayed in the work they do as Big Brothers and Sisters, their team for the Rodman Ride for Kids, and in the wonderful opportunity that they give to the children in their ‘Starting Nine’ event.”

“Unum’s partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass/Metrowest is more than a community outreach effort; it’s a life changing experience for both the ‘big’ and the ‘little’,” said Chris Collins, Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Unum. “Our employees get a great deal out of committing their time and energy to local children who can benefit from a mentor.” 

Research shows that mentoring by Big Brothers and Big Sisters is known to have a long-lasting, positive effect on their Little Brothers and Little Sisters confidence, grades, and social skills. BBBS’s matches consistently spend more time together, and continue as a match for longer periods, than do their peers in other mentoring programs Public/Private Ventures has studied. 

      

      

For further information on becoming a Big Brother/Sister or enrolling a child in a mentoring relationship, call 508-752-7868, or visit www.bbbscm.org