The Big Event

Agency Staff Spread Holiday Cheer at Washington and Sigel Elementaries and BBBSEMO

The spirit of fun is apparent year-round at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, but it's magnified during the month of December. Agency staff busily plan holiday celebrations and they also do what they can to support their Littles who might already be involved in festive activities at their respective schools.

Big Brothers Big Sisters invited Bigs and Littles to a holiday party at the Chesterfield Athletic Club on the evening of Dec. 10. Teams were able to take advantage of the pristine facilities - hitting the courts for a friendly game of hoops and doing a few laps in the club's pool. Among other offerings included a variety of crafts - from a penguin thermometer to a holiday-themed necklace. The participants were treated to a light meal.

For those Bigs and Littles who couldn't make the Chesterfield event, they had an opportunity to celebrate the holidays together at a party at the agency's offices at Grand and Olive, also on Dec. 10. Lots of crafts and games were among the evening's highlights. Those who attended this event appreciated the effort agency staff made to offer a second holiday party option.

At Washington Elementary School (WES) in the Normandy School District, students and teachers worked long and hard to prepare for and then present their annual winter concert. Sadé Horsley, Director of Impact at WES, saw all of the effort first hand and wanted to cheer on her Littles and their teachers as they celebrated their public performance on the evening of Dec. 11. Sadé hosted Bigs, Littles and Littles' families in her room at WES both before and after the concert. Her warm classroom was the perfect place for Littles to get rid of any pre-performance jitters. AND, it was the ideal location to applaud the performance at evening's end.

St. Louis Public School's Sigel Elementary was the spot for a holiday celebration on Thursday, Dec. 13. Organized and hosted by Director of Impact Deborah Ogunti, the Sigel event welcomed Bigs, Littles and their families to an evening of holiday crafts, food and a visit by the jolly old elf himself - Santa Claus. Littles were able to decorate cookies, make Christmas ornaments and play a few games, before greeting Santa and Mrs. Claus to their special gathering. The evening ended with a light supper.

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