History
Bits of History - 50 Years of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lakeshore
1969
Keith Bovee (YMCA) helped form Big Brothers mentoring program aimed at fatherless boys, 18 member Board of Directors
1972
United Appeal (United Way) funds program with $12,000 allocation. The office is located in Mission for Area People, 2 caseworkers are hired (there are only 4 women caseworkers from 5 states)
1973
100 matches made in program and 58 children on the waitlist
1975
United Way recommends a merger with Big Sisters program, a merger happens
1980
Burt Reynolds is the national spokesperson
1980
BBBS mergers with local YFCA
1981
Bowl For Kids’ Sake Fundraiser began (they gave out video VHS recorders)
1988
Over 100 kids are waiting for a match
1980s
Joey Ellis award given to outstanding supporters. Award named after a little brother that died in a fire.
1997
BBBSL expanded to Oceana and Mason Counties
1998
Jim Dreyer swam across Lake Michigan to raise money for BBBS. Attempts to swim Lake Superior.
2001
BBBSL service area expands to Ottawa County
2002
BBBSL partners with Muskegon County Health Department and Community Mental Health to grow a community garden
2005
Bowl for Kids’ Sake Fundraiser promotes “King Pins” supporters that raise at least $500 for organization
2007
E-mentors program – on-line mentoring partners with Muskegon Technical Academy
2009
Susan Harrison Wolffis writes an article in The Muskegon Chronicle on BBBSL 40th year
2018
STEM activities at the Lakeshore MCC Fab Lab are funded through Arconic Foundation
2018
National BBBS rolled our new branding and marketing
2019
50th Anniversary celebration