BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS IS ABOUT LOVE

I write today to do some reflecting as it was one year ago today that our “Founding Five” (Dwayne Green, Ed Allen, Scott Walker, Frank Ancrum, and Chris Del Vecchio) voted to hire me as Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry’s first CEO.  That day, I remember thinking, this is the BEST Valentine’s Day present ever.  I still do.

In truth, I have always believed that LOVE is an act of service and that at its HEART, the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission is ABOUT LOVE. 

• When moms, grandmothers, aunties and other guardians honor us by reaching out to to ask for help, IT IS AN ACT OF LOVE. 
• When Board Members help advance our organization and make it possible for us to sustain and grow the number of children we serve, IT IS AN ACT OF LOVE. 
• When men and women step up to become volunteer mentors, IT IS AN ACT OF LOVE. 
•  When investors say "YES" to investing in the great promise and potential of youth, IT IS AN ACT OF LOVE.

When we all reflect on the ills of our world, I think most of  us would agree that an early lack of love/connection/sense of belonging/hope is at the heart of many of the challenges we face (poverty, violence, incarceration, substance abuse).  Fortunately, the LOVING ACT of mentoring is both PROTECTIVE and PREVENTATIVE. 

So when you go home today, I hope you will join me in feeling that YOUR SERVICE to our mission is one of the best ways to demonstrate LOVE FOR OUR CHARLESTON-AREA COMMUNITY. 

With the greatest appreciation, 

Merridith Crowe
President & CEO