The Summit Federal Credit Union (The Summit) today announced a three-year, $30,000 commitment to Big Brothers Big Sisters programs in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse.
$10,000 will be dispersed to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara & the Southern Tier; and Peace, Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New York over the next three years ($4,000 in 2021, $3,000 in 2022 and 2023) to assist in supporting and creating programs for disadvantaged youth. The financial gift across all three organizations will total $30,000.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is the nation’s largest donor and volunteer-supported mentoring network. For over 100 years, the organization has made meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers and children ages five through adulthood developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people and their communities. The announcement of the partnership with The Summit comes just before National Mentoring Month in January.
The Summit’s President and CEO, Laurie Baker is passionate about Big Brothers Big Sisters and the mentorship opportunities that it provides. “The Summit is committed to making a difference in the communities that we serve,” she commented. “By partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters, we are truly igniting the promise of youth, helping to equip them with the tools that they will need to lead successful lives and be positive, active members of their communities.”
"Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester is delighted by The Summit's incredible generosity,” commented Dorothy Kelley, Development Officer, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester. “This 3-year gift, totaling $10,000 will make a profound impact by providing meaningful mentoring matches for youth in our community."
“We are proud to partner with The Summit Federal Credit Union to help us ignite the power and promise of children in our community through our one-to-one mentoring program,” said Thomas J. Guagliardo, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara and the Southern Tier. “The Summit’s commitment to mentoring and generous investment in Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across their footprint, means that more children in these communities will achieve their full potential with the support of a Big Brother or Big Sister.”
“This gift from The Summit will deeply touch the lives of the Littles in our program as well as their families,” said John F. Bruzdzinski, Director, PEACE Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters of Syracuse. “Not only do we provide mentoring services for these individuals, most of which come from disadvantaged circumstances, but we also occasionally provide them with hot meals, snacks, school supplies, clothing and personal hygiene products. We also engage them in activities and schedule events in which they can attend and have a good time. The Summit’s compassion and generosity helps make all of this possible. Thank you, so much for caring about our PEACE Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters program and the CNY community.”
Laurie Baker, The Summit’s President and CEO; Big Brother Basil Barrett; Little Brother Chanze Hardgers; Twanda Christensen, The Summit’s Vice-President of Marketing and Community Engagement.