This Match's outings have included cultural, sporting, spiritual, and family events. They have gone golfing and bicycling, been to church services together, and have gone Christmas shopping for Cameron's family. The trio has also been to Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins games, and Dick, a retired Graphic and Industrial Arts teacher and a skilled carpenter, built a fence with Cameron. They have been to museums, the Science Center, the live production of "The Black Nativity", and the stage production "Stomp".

Dick and Dottie have been committed to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program itself through Bowl For Kids' Sake, volunteering at Riverhounds fundraising soccer games, and by having their photos with Cameron featured in our print ad campaign.

In Dottie's own words when she applied to our program, "Volunteering is in my blood. I saw in the paper that there was a need for this program. We are retired and available and were needed to help." Dick and Dottie stood up, and not only became involved, but accepted Cameron into their family and their life.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh is proud to name Dick and Dottie Fleming as our Big Couple of the Year for 2003.

Based on the award speech by Linda Kaputa, Case Manager.

Show Your Creativity!

Let's face it, we can always use more art and photos to hang on our walls. Spring is coming, and it's time to get colorful! BBBS is excited to announce two great opportunities for you to show off your creative streak. Whether you're an artist or a photographer, or neither one, we hope you'll come and take a shot at our creativity contests. 

For the artist in you…

Get out your paints, markers, colored paper, and glitter, or come use ours. We've planned two Saturday dates for you to come in and get creative while spending time with other matches at our office where we will provide you with everything you need. 

• Saturday, April 17, 12 noon - 3 p.m. 

• Saturday, May 22, 12 noon - 3 p.m.

We will also have supplies set up in our mentoring library which you're welcome to visit Monday through Friday during our normal office hours; just call your Case Manager to let them know you're coming. Artwork can be created in any form, as long as it can be scanned or photographed. It can have a theme such as friendship, sisterhood, or birthdays, or it can be abstract. Paint, sketch, draw, glue, or collage your way into some wonderful prizes!

For the photographer…

Give us your best shots! We want to see all your great match photos! 

The photo contest will have three categories

• Best shot of a Little taken by their Big

• Best shot of a Big taken by their Little

• Best shot of a match together

Submit your best photos of your match, especially close-ups and shots of just the two of you, candid or posed, photo booth shots and more! This is a great opportunity to finally learn to use that self-timer on your camera.

You can send in hard copies of photos by mail, but you should keep a copy of the photo for yourself just in case. You can also email high-resolution digital photos or scans to ebashur@bbbspgh.org.

Photos and artwork may be framed for the BBBS office walls, or used in promotional materials such as brochures, annual reports, programs, greeting cards and even on our website! 

All entries for these contests will be due at our office in East Liberty no later than Tuesday, June 1 at 5:00 p.m. Judging will take place during the month of July, during which contestants' work will be displayed on our website. Winners will be announced and prizes will be awarded at our Annual Big/Little Summer Picnic July 25 where you can see everyone's work on display!

For more details, visit our contest page at www.bbbspittsburgh.org/creativity.htm

• Six Bigs from Dominion Peoples will be joining the BBBS School-based Program this month. They will be mentoring students a Grandview Elementary School in Beltzhoover every Thursday at lunchtime during the school year.

• Congratulations are in order for Brook's new BS Elizabeth Barrows who recently became engaged to Jeff Zyra!

• LS Brenda (BS Ann Bridghan and BS Anne Koenig) has been selected by the Children's International Summer Villages Program to go to Brazil in July for a whole month. The CISV program emphasizes the development of friendly relationships, effective communication, leadership skills and building a world that is fair and just.

• BS Angie Parres got engaged in December and is planning an October 2, 2004 wedding. LS Destiny will be a bridesmaid.