Big Brothers Big Sisters host picnic, pool party

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County hosted a thank you picnic and pool party for its volunteers, donors and Big and Little matches Sunday evening at Forest Park.

“We came here to recognize our volunteers and donors,” said Valecia Vogts-Scribner, director.

Following the picnic, they presented two special awards.

The first went to Brian Smith, who had been matched with his Little, Russell,  for 11 1/2 years until Russell left the program upon graduating from high school. He was the longest match in Butler County and Smith was presented with a framed photo of himself and Russell when they were first matched and one at the end of their match. Smith was then re-matched with a new Little.

“I think it’s just more or less the knowledge I’m making a difference in someone’s life,” he said of what he enjoyed about volunteering.

He did not have any children of his own when he began volunteering and had some extra time, so he decided to get involved.

“I just like to have fun,” he said. “We do all kinds of weird stuff. You just never know.”

The second award was the Big of the Year Award, which is presented each year to a volunteer who goes above and beyond.

Vogts-Scribner said this was a hard award for which to choose someone because they all go above and beyond.

This year’s award went to Dennis Noyes, who has been matched with his Little, Chris, for three years.

Vogts-Scribner commented on Noyes’ commitment to Chris’ well-being, especially in school. They get together once a week to work on school work and once a week to do fun activities.

“It was fantastic,” Noyes said of receiving the award. “I didn’t even know they did this award.”

He felt it was crucial to let other people know about the important role of Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“This is my first match ever,” he said. “It’s not something I take lightly or that you can do halfway.”

He works to keep Chris going in the right direction in school and life.

Noyes decided to volunteer after the last of his three children was about to go off to college.

“I looked at my wife and said ‘I think we have more to give,’” he said. “It was as much therapy for me as it was for Chris. I wanted to stay active with youth.”

It has been a good match for both of them.

“We bonded well,” Noyes said. “We enjoy the same things.”

They do such things as hunting, football and more.

Chris said he enjoyed doing homework with Noyes and spending time with him learning new things. His favorite new activity has been shooting.

Noyes said they have bagged a deer, turkey and ducks.

But the school work is what Noyes is most proud of.

“He was struggling in school,” Noyes said. “He is a smart kid. He just needed focus.”

Now Chris has improved his grade point average by a whole point and received the award last semester for most improved in math.

These were just two of several matches at the picnic. All of the volunteers and donors received a certificate of appreciation for their efforts. In addition, the Big and Little matches also had their pictures taken together, which were framed and given to them.

“I just really want to tell everyone thank you,” Vogts-Scribner said. “I thank you all for taking care of our kids. We have some vulnerable kids in our program and you make sure they are taken care of.”