Lake Co. Big Bros., Sisters start $5 campaign

Jeremy Foster understands that in today's tough economy, it may be difficult to convince people to financially support causes.

But he hopes they may be willing to give $5.

As chief executive officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lake County, Foster said the organization has created the Give $5 campaign as part of its end-of-year fundraising to further efforts to match children with a mentor.

"We want people to rally around mentoring because it works," he said. "We have many more children we're trying to get to and trying to match them."

Foster said the Give $5 campaign was designed to engage people who may not be familiar with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and those who may have donated in the past but may not be able to provide the same level of support this year.

The goal also is to build awareness how the time spent with Big Brothers and Sisters helps these children. And with that awareness, more families may get involved as a mentor or a board member.

Foster said most programs cost $1,000 to $1,200 per year. Costs include screening and interviewing children's families and volunteers, conducting background checks and fingerprinting potential mentors and offering ongoing support to mentors. Their goal is creating matches where all children and their mentors want to stay together for a lifetime.

"Our first goal is to match children who so desperately need somebody," he said. "Then there are children where a mentor appeals to them. It's a one-to-one personal connection. Who would not want someone coming just for me?"

Since the Give $5 campaign began last October, phones have been ringing off the hook, Foster said. The goal is to raise $150,000 through the end of December, $5 or more at a time.

"Every dollar counts. It's power in numbers," he said.

Donations can be made by visiting Big Brothers Big Sisters Web site at bbbslc.org or call (847) 360-0770.