Loading...
Times-Advocate, 1984-03-21, Page 13Whiting's Customer Appreciation AU items subject to prior sale. •Shop -and Save now Open Friday until Midnight J CPrnes s Sovik Huron, North heddbesos Page1A dvocate & North IainMon Since 1873 March 21, 1984 Boys and girls find friends Sisters in Big Brothers/Big The ominous slogan "Big Brother is watching you" from George Orwell's book 1984 has been given a whole new meaning with the addi- tion of one more word. The fact "Big Brother is watching over you" -has been a source of comfort and security for a large number of youngsters since the birth of the South Huron Big Brothers Associa- tion seven years ago. Glen Wright, at that time minister of Exeter United Church, spearheaded the for- mation of the -local branch after seeing at first hand the need of Big Brothers for many children going through some of their most important and impressionable years without a father in the home. In 1980 Lois McCallum, who herself grew up in a single parent household, was in- strumental in obtaining a Big Sisters charter, and amalgamating with the already ' established Big Brothers organization. She is now president of the local Big Brothers/Big Sisters Association which takes in Exeter, Grand Bend, Crediton, Centralia, Hensall, Zurich, Dashwood and the Kirkton-Woodham district. Mrs. McCallum also has a Little Sister, one of the 24 young people in this area suc- cessfully matched at present with a Big Brother or Sister. The difference these mat- ches have made in the children's lives is graphical- ly expressed by the winning entry in this year's contest which asked the boys and girls to write an essay on what being a Little Brother or Sister meant to them: "How many of you have ever thought about what it would be 'like to live without your father? Well, my father and mother are separated and my father lives many miles away, so I don't see him very often. "Sometimes it takes a man to help a boy, so some boys need a Big Brother. I now have a Big Brother who is my very, very "Special Friend . "Big Brothers in Canada have been helping kids like me out for about 70 years, and I have had mine since I was five, but they need more Big Brothers all the time. "When you have a Big Brother you have a man to have fun with, because I live in a house with two girls and most of the time they can be really boring and don't like to do boy -type things. "My Brother, John, comes and gets me in his nice new car, which I think is really neat. He takes me to his Dad's garage and lets me use the tools to make things. Sometimes we go for a drive to get french fries. He has an airplane and sometimes I get to go for a ride, then he will let me steer it all by myself. "When my mom was sick one day, I called him on the telephone and asked if he was busy and he said no, so he came and picked me up and we had a great time. "I amluckybecause I have a Special Friend like John to talk to. He is like a hero to me. 1 My Big Brother likes me just the way I am, and always _listens to me when I want to talk. "It doesn't cost anything to be a Big Brother. I want to be a Big Brother for a little boy who needs a friend like I've found, when I'm older. A lit- tle boy needs a man he can depend on. A Friend. That is what I have in my Big Brother." Boundless enthusiasm is the dominant trait of all.the volunteers who work with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Association. Executive direc- tor Dorothy Chapman took hers along on a Tobago holi- day and so impressed. an English entertainer working in the hotel where she stayed that he auctioned off one of his paintings and gave her the proceeds of $200 for an organization he had never even heard of before talking to this persuasive lady. He also gave her a sketch of the original painting, which she hopes will someday hang in a proper office. Right now the South Huron Association's office is the Chapman's dining room table, and the directors and volunteers use the public school as their once -a -month meeting place. Dorothy delights in her af- filiation with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters. "Just knowing you touched someone's life and made it a little more meaningful is pro- bably the biggest return for all of us involved with Big Brothers and Sisters", she en - A SPECIAL GIFT - SH Big Brothers/Big Sisters Association directors Shari Burton, Gord Nichol, president Lois McCallum, board member Tom Kneale and executive director Dorothy Chapman admire a copy of a painting by an English entertainer working in Tobago who donated the proceeds from the original sale to the South Huron branch of the Association. WORKING TOGETHER -- Big Brother Paul Anstett and his Little Brother Mark work together on puzzling computer game. 00 FISH - Murdiena Glover and little Sister Melissa enjoy a game of cards. V thused, going on to relate the case of a boy who was failing in school. He was matched with a Big Brother in January, and proudly displayed a B + average on his report card in March. Murdiena Glover has had her Little Sister, Melissa, since May 1962. "All my children are grown up. I wanted a Little Brother to take to hockey games and other sports events. Instead, I was matched with Melissa. We both love sports," Mur- diena said. "It's a lot of fun, not like being a babysitter. We rollerskate and bike in the summer, and I go to ball games to watch Melissa play. We also bake cookies and do ceramics. I would like to have her more often." Paul Anstett and Little Brother Mark have become good friends since being matched last August. Paul believes he will be a better parent when he has children of his own because of what he is learning through his rela- tionship with Mark. Shari Burton, a founding member of the local Big Sisters Association and direc- tor of the amalgamated organization, says this is one activity that "depends more heavily on time than money". "I can't say enough good about the Organization", says Angela Sweitzer. She has observed the Association from a different angle since her husband's sudden death in December 1981. Both her son and her daughter have partners. She appreciates everything her children's Big Brother and Big Sister do for her children. The specialgifts and extra at- tention at Christmas help to counter metnpt•ies of atten- ding their father's funeral Christmas Eve. Talking about the Si s'fitittIrr 'Sfg' BY'I1tllL 'S Sisters Association and the volunteers who act as Big Brother and Sister to her children is one of Angela Sweitzer's favourite topics. She recalls that her first reac- tion after her husband's death was wondering how she could cope, and the Association has given her a whole different outlook. She explained most single parents don't have the time or the energy to spread themselves very thin, and mothers really appreciate the break they get while their children are on an outing with a Big Brother or Sister. She added the outings don't cost parents one cent, as all ex- penses are borne by the organization. "Darryl and Jaquie's Big Brother and Big Sister keep my children doing things other children do", she summed up. "They give them so much love. I'm always happy to see them come in the door. I wish I could be that type of person." Often a board member will approach a friend or acquain- tance and ask if that person has considered becoming a Big Brother or Sister. Accor- ding to Dorothy Chapman, who includes "case worker" among her executive direc- tor's responsibilities, commit- ment is the prime ingredient. A potential Big Brgjher or Big Sister can be anyone "from 18 to 118" who likes children. After careful study, the two are paired on the basis of background, in- terests, personality and strengths of the volunteer and needs of the child. Referrals for children who could benefit from an adult I friend come from mothers, schools, the Children's board members and others. An interview with the child's mother determines that youngster's particular in- terests and requirements. The screening and matching committee tries to 'bring together kindred spirits. A Big Brother or Sister is expected to see his or her lit- tle friend once a week for an average of three or four hours. The adults also keep in touch with the case worker, a constant source of support and help if problems arise. The whole group gets together throughout the year for such activities as wat- ching a Blue Jays game in Toronto, a weekend of camp- ing in Pinery Park, a skidoo day at the Pineridge Chalet, a trip to a sugar bush, fishing, sailing, a banquet and, of Please turn to page SA T tremendous Savings now at s UVINGROOM FURNITURE 2 IX. chesterfield & chair, plaid herculon 2 pc. chesterfield & chair, Dralon cover 2 pc. colonialloral, 100% nylon cover 3 pc. 10046 nylon floral, chesterfield chair & love seat Igo. vinyl, chesterfield chair & ottoman COIVEE & END TABLES 3 P; sets from s;plgles & discontinued styles up to TABLE LAMPS & FIXTURES brass lamps with crimp silk shades from Ceiling fixtures, entire stock REG. PRICE SALE PRICE` 695.00 1029.00 929.00 1399.00 949.95 485.00 695.00 595.00 999.00 665.00 59.95 50% off $66.00 ea 50% OFF BED CHESTERFIELDS plain, floral, & plaids priced from odd 641100ldn Of Wall Uflits from RCI RS Vinyl Catnapper Heater Vibrator 489.95 379.95 349.00 • 00 249.00 DINING ROOM & KITCHEN ' 7 pc. chrome set • 5 pc. light Maple finish dinette set Kroehler 7 pc. set, Buffet, Hutch, Table & 4 arm chairs Server to match, available 9 pc. Oak finish dining room suite Some wood, odd chairs Pictures & mirrors up to 3199.00 1729.00 1/2 Price 1/2 Price 249.95 444.00 1995.00 1125.00 BEDROOMS 6 pc. Cherry bedroom suite & Box & Mattress solid Cherry wood, spindle bed, armoire, double dresser & mirror, 2 night tables 5 pc. Pine bedroom suite, triple dresser with hutch mirror, 5 drawer chest, queen size poster bed, night table 4 pc. bedroom suite white with walnut finish drawer fronts 39" headboard, double dresser & mirror, 4 -drawer chest. Queen size spindle bed, head, foot & rails Cedar chests 1/2 Price (Vallieres Co.) Strathroy Desk, Lg. double pedestal, solid oak, one locking drawer, brass trim Mattresses, over 200 in stock to clear out, from (Save as much as $400.00 a set) Queen size Hybrid water beds Children's furniture reduced up to 50%, high chairs, booster chairs, table & chair sets, strollers, etc. 5800.00 1/2 Price 2900.00 1899.00 1299.00 259.00 629.00 1/2 price 314.50 1/2 Price 999.00 35% OFF 650.00 20%-50% OFF 599.00 Tax inc. & installed CARPET Burlington Carpet 100% Antron Plus Nylon, outstanding soil, stain resistant, static control. High quality carpet, maintains its appearance for many years, 4 colours to choose from Blended, beige & brown Saxoney Beige, Saxoney Plus All Remnants 50% OFF Reg. Price Vinyl floor up to 50% OFF Reg. Price Area Rugs Reduced 33% All in stock carpet & vinyl on special Vinyl Flooring 41.25 sq. yd. 25.95 sq. yd. 22.95 sq. yd. 25.95 sq. yd. 17.95 sq. yd. 16.95 sq. yd. as low as 2.99 sq. yd. This is only a partial listing of our super values W T GIFMAIN S T . EXETER 235-1964 •