Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine hosted bigs, littles and their families at its annual program celebration, presented by Hannaford. The event was held Feb. 6 at The Pitch in Warren. Matches from Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot, Somerset and Waldo counties attended an afternoon of activities, food and festivities, including an awards ceremony recognizing distinguished community and school-based matches and volunteer coordinators, according to a news release from BBBS.

Big Brothers Big Sisters helps children facing adversity by providing professionally supported, community and school-based, one-to-one mentoring programs throughout its six-county service area. The event brought together littles and bigs to celebrate program success, community support and the agency’s 700 youth served this year.

“Little Brother” Gage Hopkins and his “Big Brother” and high school mentor Sam Bailey were recognized as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine’s 2016 School-Based Match of the Year. Sam and Gage meet weekly during the school year as part of the weekly mentoring program at Nobleboro Central School. Contributed photo

Nate Violette and Colby Charette.

This year’s award recipients:

• “Never Miss Life Award” named in memory of Little Sister Jessica Breault: Dick Behr and Jaxen (Kennebec County).

• Community-Based Match of the Year Award: Jeremy Peskoe and Brian (Waldo County). Honorable Mention: Joan Jackson and Rita (Lincoln County); Kate Willis and Mariah (Kennebec County); and Chris Marquis and Demetrius (Penobscot County)

• School-Based Match of the Year: Sam Bailey and Gage Hopkins (Nobleboro Central School, Nobleboro) Honorable Mention: Alexis Libby and Sophia (Gilbert School, Augusta); Gavin Jordan and Austin (Miller School, Waldoboro ) and Libby Washburn and Sam (Margaret Chase Smith/Skowhegan.)

• School-Based Coordinator Team of the Year Award: Erinn Michaud, Maureen Vashon, Denise Gianini and Sarah Rushton (Messalonskee, Oakland); Terry and Dixie McPhetres and Marty Grant (Nobleboro Central School, Nobleboro); Honorable Mention: Jessica Campbell-Odgren and Allison (South School, Rockland) and Nathan Proctor and Heidi (Black Bear Mentoring, UMaine, Orono).

• The first “ShineonCass Award” in memory of Big Sister and BBBS Volunteer Cassidy Charette: Colby Charette and Nathan Violette (Messalonskee, Oakland). Honorable Mention: Blake Marden (Messalonskee, Oakland) and Trene Rhode (Oceanside, Rockland. )

Sixteen matches were celebrated for reaching anniversary milestones for being matched between three and nine years with BBBS.

Hannaford, one of the agency’s major corporate partners, sponsored the event with support of community partners The PITCH, Pine State Trading, Dominos, Pizza Hut and Dunkin Donuts, according to the release.

To learn more about changing a child’s life as a volunteer or donor, call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine at 236-2227, email info@bbbsmidmaine.org or visit www.bbbsmidmaine.org.

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