Kalamazoo, MI – Western Michigan University's Athletic Director, Dan Bartholomae, will be hosting a panel discussion with four head coaches from WMU at Big Brothers Big Sisters' 46th Annual Benefit Dinner on Monday, June 26th.
Bartholomae will be joined by Colleen Munson (Women's Volleyball), DJ Stephens (Men's Basketball), Lance Taylor (Football), and Pat Ferschweiler (Hockey). Each coach will share their story of leading their teams to victory and the mentors that supported them along the way.
DATE: Monday, June 26
TIME: Approximately 3-3:30PM
PLACE: The Arcadia Ballroom, the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center
SCHEDULING: Members of the media are invited to the press conference
EVENT INFO: Members of the press are invited to cover the panel discussion (approximately 8:30 PM). Prior arrangements must be made with Amy Kuchta (contact info above).
"Our Annual Benefit Dinner helps make it possible for us to achieve our mission of creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth," says Amy Kuchta, Chief Executive Officer.
"Each year, hundreds of guests and nearly 100 corporate sponsors come together to support Big Brothers Big Sisters and to hear from some of the nation's leading sports figures. This year, we are honored to welcome each of the coaches," Kuchta says.
The evening will include a cocktail and hors d'oeuvre reception, a gourmet dinner, the opportunity to bid on silent and live auctions, raffles, and a panel discussion with Dan Bartholomae and the coaches.
Tickets are available on Big Brothers Big Sisters website at ThinkBigToday.org/benefit or by contacting Melissa Kendal at 269-488-2864. Ticket price is $300.
Big Brothers Big Sisters' Benefit Dinner Facts
- This is the 46th Annual Benefit Dinner.
- The funds generated at the Benefit Dinner account for more than 20 percent of the agency's annual revenue.
- Past Benefit Dinner speakers include Tim Lester, Wade Boggs, John Beilein, Tom Izzo, Jim Schwartz, Greg Jennings, Lindsay Tarpley, Mark Dantonio, Sparky Anderson, Kirk Gibson, and Bo Schembechler.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters
For more than 100 years nationally and 65 years locally, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation's largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (Bigs) and children (Littles).
Big Brothers Big Sisters provides a system of ongoing support and evaluation that is proven by independent studies to help families by improving the odds that Littles will perform better in school, have increased self-esteem, avoid situations that could limit their future success, and have stronger relationships with their parents and others. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan serves children in Kalamazoo, Allegan, Calhoun, and Van Buren counties. Learn how you can defend children's potential by donating or volunteering at ThinkBigToday.org.
