Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland is committed to enhancing the confidence, self-esteem and well-being of girls through supportive friendships with caring women.

On June 28, 2009, I will be participating in my very first half-marathon to raise funds for Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland. It will be quite a challenge but many girls in the Lower Mainland face much bigger challenges every day. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a supportive person in their life. I want to make sure that all girls in the Lower Mainland have the opportunity to believe in themselves and reach their full potential.

Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland helps vulnerable girls (ages 7-17) in the community by matching them with a Big Sister mentor or Study Buddy tutor.

Many girls suffer from low self-esteem, social isolation and a lack of enriching experiences as a result of poverty, family distress, abuse, or loss. They come from various family backgrounds including single-parent families and foster care.

Big Sisters provides each of these girls with a champion - someone to believe in them, trust them, and support them on an ongoing basis. Big Sisters also provides free tutors to girls who otherwise would not have one due to financial constraints. When a young girl truly believes in herself, so much is possible!

Girls in the Big Sisters programs often seem happier with a more positive outlook on life and, in the long term, many demonstrate increased self-confidence and have an expanded future outlook in terms of education and career opportunities.

It takes approximately $2,000 to make and maintain one Big & Little Sister or Study Buddy match for one year.

My goal is to raise $2000. Support Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland (www.bigsisters.bc.ca) by sponsoring me in the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon! 100% of the funds raised will go to Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland.

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