A lot of us may think we have big plans for the summer: time off, holidays, travel.  But for August, those plans likely pale in comparison to the plans Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Calgary and Area have for this month.  

The group is planning on raising up to $320,000 in funds, and a great deal of awareness of their mentoring program during the All-Stars for Kids campaign which got underway today (August 1) and continues throughout the entire month.

BBBS Manager of Recruitment and Community Engagement Jodi McKay is proud to be an Airdrie resident and also is proud that BBBS of Calgary and Area includes the Airdrie location.  She explains what the All-Stars for Kids campaign is all about.

"It's actually our largest annual public fundraising campaign," McKay says.  "We're very lucky to have long-time champions, Gary Nissen, Qualico Homes and this year actually PBA Land & Development joined and they've stepped up to match all of the donations that come into our campaign in August.  So they're bringing up to $160,000 in, which means that we can match that and hopefully raise over $320,000 this year."

The way they'll accomplish that is by gathering an impressive lineup of sports stars, Olympic athletes and community champions for the campaign.  McKay says the roster is very well known.  "We have some really great Calgary area and Alberta athletes and different champions," says McKay enthusiastically. "This year we're very pleased to announce that Cheryl Bernard the Olympic curler is joining us, we have Bo Levi Mitchell the Stamps quarterback is returning, Sean Monahan from our very own Calgary Flames, he's returning as well.  John Morris also another gold medal Olympic curler and a Big Brother, he's back and excited."

Other sports stars taking part in the campaign include Stampeders President and GM John Hufnagel, World Champion curler Kevin Koe and three-time Olympic medalist in hockey, Rebecca Johnston. 

All-stars from Airdrie include Air 106.1 Program Director and morning show host Claire Spencer and councilor Al Jones.  McKay explains what the all-stars are expected to do to help the campaign.  "All these All-stars, and we call them champions on our all-stars, really use their profiles and connections and their networks to really help us raise awareness about the work we do at Big Brothers Big Sisters in mentoring and also raise awareness about the campaign and how people can get involved to help us raise these dollars."

In the past five years, BBBS has worked with just over 400, one to one, mentoring matches in Airdrie for young people between the ages of six and 18.  Even with that success, McKay says they still have a need for more mentors.  "Right now, we have almost 30 young people who are waiting for a mentor," she says.   "So as well as raising funds through this campaign we really want to raise awareness and let people know that we're still in need of mentors."

Mentors work with youth who are dealing with significant challenges, such as grief and loss, mental health issues, family violence, addictions, and poverty.  Research shows supportive relationships, like those fostered by BBBS, help youth to become resilient and achieve more. 

Anyone wanting to find out more about the fundraising and awareness campaign can go to allstarsforkids.ca.  McKay also says they have third party events and any business in Airdrie that is interested in holding a fundraiser for BBBS in August is welcome to reach out to the group on the website. 

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