A flurry of activity, great deals, and generous hearts filled the Portage MCC Thrift Shop on Tuesday, as the community gathered to support Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) during one of six fundraising days hosted annually by the store.
Shoppers browsed through racks and shelves at both the MCC Thrift Shop and Furniture Plus location, with proceeds going directly to support mentoring programs for children aged 6 to 18 across the region.
"I'm always excited for this day," said Dawn Froese, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters. "The staff here are amazing, the shoppers are amazing, and it's been busy in both stores. There's lots of great deals and energy."
Funds raised during the event go toward one-on-one mentoring programs, which aim to provide children with positive role models.
"Really, it's to help ensure that those relationships are fun but safe," Froese explained. "It's all about supporting youth in our community and giving them someone to look up to."
The day was capped with a generous donation from Portage MCC, which presented BBBS with a $4,000 cheque to support their initiatives. Kevin Hamm, General Manager of Portage MCC, said the fundraiser is about more than just writing a cheque, it's about creating visibility and connection.
"We've been doing these fundraising days for about 20 years," Hamm said. "We wanted to do something where we could showcase the amazing work that charities like Big Brothers Big Sisters are doing. It's not just about financial support; it's about putting them in the spotlight and saying, 'Look at these guys. Do you know what they’re doing?'
BBBS is also gearing up for another major fundraiser: the annual Duck Race, set to take place on August 29 at 6:00 P.M. at Stride Place's Splash Island. The rubber duck race, complete with ducks racing down a waterslide and around a lazy river, has become a summer tradition in the community.
"This is the first time we're holding it at the end of summer," Froese said. "Usually, it's on July 1st, but we wanted to give ourselves a chance to sell more tickets at summer events. People can grab tickets at Mr. Mikes, the library, our office, wherever they see us."
Funds from the Duck Race will also support mentorship programs, and Froese emphasized the need for both 'Bigs' and 'Littles' in the community.
"We're always looking for Big Brothers, and right now we’re actually looking for Little Sisters too," she said. "If you know a girl who could benefit from having someone speak positively into her life, give us a call. We've got room."
Alongside their fundraising events, BBBS is also launching new programming. Next week, their 'Go Girls' program begins for girls aged 12 to 14, and plans are in place for a post-secondary education and career-readiness program this fall. The popular 'Big Play' program is also expected to return in January.
At the heart of it all is a dedicated team of volunteers and staff, both at BBBS and Portage MCC.
"We couldn't do this without our volunteers and staff," Hamm said. "They tear down displays, process donations, and go the extra mile. We always get good donations, but for these events, we get some extra special ones."
For both organizations, the success of the day highlights the importance of community-driven efforts.
"We wouldn't exist without donations and community support," Froese added. "Every bit helps us make a difference in a young person's life."
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