Big Brothers Big Sisters

Paint with a Twist at Big Brothers Big Sister

by peaceinc | Jan 18, 2024 | News and Information

As National Mentoring Month comes to a close, we at PEACE, Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters are inspired by the vibrant colors and beaming smiles that filled our annual “Paint with a Twist” event. This joyous gathering brought together young and old from across the community, transforming them from mentors and apprentices into budding Picassos and Pollocks for one afternoon.

More than just creating art, “Painting with a Twist” was a celebration of connection, reminding us that mentoring is a canvas where the colors of guidance, support, and friendship blend beautifully. As we look back at these photographs, we see not only the artistic endeavors, but also the seeds of confidence, self-expression, and lifelong friendships.

National Mentoring Month extends the impact of these connections beyond a single afternoon. Thank you to all the young and old who contributed their hearts and creativity to “Painting with a Twist”. Not only have you created stunning works of art, but you have also painted a better future for yourself and your communities.

We encourage you to participate in mentoring beyond the month. Visit the Big Brothers Big Sisters website https://www.peace-caa.org/bbbs/ to learn more about how you can become a Big or a Little and help create your own mentoring masterpiece.

Let’s keep the colors of connection bright, not just in January, but all year long!

Big Brothers Big Sisters Holiday Party!

by peaceinc | Dec 12, 2023 | News and Information

Check out the amazing turnout at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Holiday Party this past Sunday at Bishop Ludden!
In total, 115 people were in attendance – Bigs, Littles and volunteers from a SU Fraternity and sorority joined staff and advisory members for a festive gathering!

Salt City Kitchen & Catering provided the yummy lunch; Bruce Purdy from Central New York Theatre Co (a magician), Superior Sound Entertainment (DJ), Smile 360 SYR (photo/video booth) and a few awesome face painters provided
entertainment! Plus, gifts, games, arts & crafts (ornament making)!

School-based program sessions at Roxboro Rd. Elementary and Roberts

by peaceinc | Nov 16, 2023 | News and Information

Check out these photos of our school-based program sessions at Roxboro Rd. Elementary (CNS Bigs) and Roberts (Corcoran Bigs)! It’s always inspiring to see our bigs and littles getting creative and having a blast during our program sessions.

PEACE Inc.’s BBBS program’s annual Field Day/Back to School

by peaceinc | Aug 10, 2023 | News and Information

It was a picture-perfect Saturday for PEACE Inc.’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program’s annual Field Day/Back to School Event this past weekend at Santaro Park!

Special thanks to Barclay Damon LLP for their generous sponsorship that provided backpacks/school supplies, lunch, an ice cream truck, games, and many prizes – they helped make the day a huge success! We had a great turnout of around 80 people, including BBBS volunteers, staff, Bigs, Littles, and a few Barclay staff members!

BBBS were honored to throw out the 1st pitch for the Syracuse Mets

by peaceinc | Aug 4, 2023 | News and Information

On Saturday, July 15th, two of our matches (Big and Little) were honored to throw out the 1st pitch for the Syracuse Mets game at NBT Stadium (the Little threw the pitch, the Big caught it).

The first photo is , Elijah Bailey (teal t-shirt) and the second is Amiellio Belcamino-Lefebvre (black jersey) throwing their 1st pitches.

Amiellio’s big is Jason Stewart, and Eli’s big is Shaun Sample.

Press Release: Taste of Syracuse 2023 Raised Over $23,000 for Local Charities

by peaceinc | Aug 3, 2023 | News and Information

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

August 2, 2023

Media contact: Carrie Wojtaszek
315.471.9597 or carrie@galaxyeventscompany.com

Taste of Syracuse 2023 Raised Over $23,000 for Local Charities

Syracuse, NY – Central New York’s biggest food and music festival welcomed an estimated 200,000 people over two days. While the festival welcomed large crowds, it also raised $23,872.50 for local charities.

Two checks were presented on Wednesday, August 2nd, within Clinton Square where the festival was held. A check for $11,936.25 was presented to PEACE Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters. Another check for $11,936.25 was presented to Sleep in Heavenly Peace. The money collected for the two charities was a joint effort between top Taste of Syracuse sponsors, The Summit Federal Credit Union and Tops Friendly Markets. Representatives from each organization were at the check presentation.

“We are thrilled that we were able to recognize and raise money for these two local charities that make a big difference in Central New York,” said Twanda Christensen, Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement for The Summit Federal Credit Union.

“We thank everyone that stopped by our tent to help us support PEACE Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters and Sleep in Heavenly Peace and we were thrilled to be able to donate 100% of our proceeds to benefit these wonderful charities,” said Kathleen Allen, senior manager of community relations for Tops Friendly Markets.

“We can’t thank our partners enough for their tremendous support of the festival and for their generosity in regard to giving back to local charities,” said Galaxy Events Chief Operating Officer Carrie Wojtaszek. “We’re looking forward to next year!”

About The Summit Federal Credit Union

Founded in 1941, The Summit Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned, full-service financial cooperative. With over $1.2 billion in assets, The Summit has over 230 employees and provides a full range of affordable financial products and services to over 91,000 active members in Central New York, the Finger Lakes Region, and Western New York.

The Summit is dedicated to the rich diversity of the communities that they serve. You will regularly see their staff out and about in the community supporting other not-for-profit organizations that share their mission and values. For more information, visit summitfcu.org.

About Tops Friendly Markets

Based in Williamsville, NY, Tops Markets currently operates 149 grocery stores in New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, including five that are run by franchisees. As the largest private, for-profit employer in Western New York, with over 13,000 associates, the company is dedicated to providing sustainably sourced, high-quality products, while helping its communities flourish via support for programs that eradicate hunger and disease, educate youth and reduce environmental waste and energy consumption. For more information, visit www.topsmarkets.com.

Breakdown of Donations

The Summit Federal Credit Union:

$2,881.25 donated to PEACE Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters

$2,881.25 donated to Sleep in Heavenly Peace

TOPS Friendly Markets:

$9,055 donated to PEACE Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters

$9055 donated to Sleep in Heavenly Peace

PEACE, Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters Program hosted its 3rd Annual Golf Scramble!

by peaceinc | Jul 25, 2023 | News and Information

It was a great day on the green! PEACE, Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters Program hosted its 3rd Annual Golf Scramble at the Drumlins Country Club in Syracuse, NY.

We want to extend a big THANK YOU to everyone who made it out for the event – donors, volunteers, and players alike – your support is so appreciated!

Arby’s Foundation Awards Funds to PEACE, Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters

by peaceinc | Jun 15, 2023 | News and Information

Syracuse, New York, June 14, 2023 – The Arby’s Foundation has given more than $100 million to youth related causes throughout the United States.

Here in Syracuse and Onondaga County, New York, $12,400 will be granted to PEACE, Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) program. The funds will support BBBS special events – including the spring Canal Day event and the annual Holiday Party – as well as support program staff.

Additional funds will be granted to Arby’s Foundation national nonprofit partners: Big Brothers Big Sisters, No Kid Hungry, and Folds of Honor to support programs focused on childhood hunger, youth leadership, and career readiness.

About the Arby’s Foundation

The Arby’s Foundation, the independent charitable arm of Arby’s, helps America’s kids dream big and pursue their dreams with confidence. Building on a philanthropic heritage that has contributed more than $90 million to youth-related causes since its inception in 1986, the Arby’s Foundation is committed to helping kids build, expand and pursue their dreams as we focus our efforts in childhood hunger, youth leadership and career readiness initiatives. The Arby’s Foundation is part of the Inspire Brands Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information, visit www.foundation.arbys.com.

About PEACE, Inc. and Big Brothers Big Sisters

Incorporated in 1968, PEACE, Inc. is a federal designated Community Action Agency (CAA) that serves nearly 8,000 clients in Syracuse, Onondaga County, and portions of Oswego County. With a guiding principle of “Maximum Feasible Participation,” or the concept that those who are served by the CAA must also be involved with the organization’s decision-making processes, the agency pursues a mission to “help people in the community realize their potential for becoming self-sufficient.” It does so through 9 antipoverty services: Free Tax Prep, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), Family Services (FRCs) Head Start and Early Head Start (HS, EHS), its Department of Energy and Housing, Foster Grandparents, Eastwood Community Center, Senior Nutrition, and Senior Support Services. For more information, visit www.peace-caa.org.

Since its founding in 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) has been recognized the nation’s preeminent 1-to-1 mentorship program. Research shows that 1-to-1 mentoring improves a child’s confidence, academic performance, and decision making. Through Community-, School-, and Corporate-Based mentoring, PEACE, Inc.’s BBBS branch continues doing this important work in matching kids (Littles) with mentors (Bigs).

Media Contact
John F. Bruzdzinski, Director
PEACE, Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters
Email: john.bruzdzinski@peace-caa.org
Phone: 315-470-3369 ext 362

Taste of Syracuse – PEACE, Inc. BBBS

by peaceinc | Jun 4, 2023 | News and Information

We’d like to thank our friends at Taste Of Syracuse, The Summit Federal Credit Union, and Tops Friendly Markets for a wonderful weekend of food, fun, and sponsorship for PEACE, Inc.’s Big Brothers Big Sisters Program. It was a great time, and we can’t wait until next year!

2nd Big Brothers Big Sisters Annual Canal Day

by peaceinc | May 17, 2023 | News and Information

Bringing the community together for the 2nd Big Brothers Big Sisters Annual Canal Day this past Saturday was a success!

We had roughly 50 people at the Erie Canal Park in Camillus, who all enjoyed the stunning weather, boat tours, fishing, face painting, and food & snacks.

Our staff was joined by Bigs Littles, the parents, five police academy cadets, advisory members, and a sheriff directing traffic. A special shoutout goes to the police cadets who helped grill burgers and hotdogs and loaded up the van at the end.