VANCOUVER, BC — For every volunteer application received from March 15 – April 15, 2019, Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver, in partnership with Swishin’ Mission, will hang a purple net on an empty basketball hoop across the Lower Mainland. Currently, there are over a hundred children waiting for a mentor in the Greater Vancouver area.
To coincide with March Madness for basketball fans, Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver’s volunteer search campaign, Purple Net Project is back for its third year; an initiative that connects Big and Little Brothers through basketball.
Based on a symbolic connection between basketball hoops without nets and kids without positive role models, the campaign raises awareness for Big Brothers’ need of volunteers in Greater Vancouver. In the past few years, with the support of Swishin’ Mission, 450 nets were hung on hoops across various communities. Awareness raised from the campaign helped the mentoring agency find volunteers, but for the children who didn’t get mentors, and for the growing list of families who are in need of the charity’s services, the wait wasn’t over.
“Today, we face a critical need for volunteers as our ‘Littles’ wait times to have a ‘Big’ is an average of two to three years. We simply do not have enough volunteers to be matched to the children on our waitlist – we need the community’s help,” says Valerie Lambert, Executive Director at Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver. “Attracting and retaining volunteers is a critical challenge facing our organization today. Volunteers are essential to our programs in providing support and mentorship to children and youth in our communities.”
Adults looking to make a difference can sign up to become a Big Brother or Game On! volunteer can visit BigBrothersVancouver.com/volunteer. To learn more about the Purple Net Project campaign and see where nets are hung, visit PurpleNetProject.ca
Purple Net Project: http://www.purplenetproject.ca #purplenetproject
Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver: https://www.bigbrothersvancouver.com #bigbrothersyvr
ABOUT BIG BROTHERS OF GREATER VANCOUVER
The Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver mentoring programs provide children and youth with positive role models and a friend to talk to and share the experiences of growing up with. Friendships are developed between the Mentor and Mentee that is built on trust and common interests. The result is a life-changing experience for both of them. Big Brothers proudly operates across the Lower Mainland and the Sea to Sky Corridor, and has volunteer opportunities for all genders.
Media Inquiries and requests to interview the charity:
Mandy Wong
Manager, Development and Marketing
Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver
mwong@bbgvf.com
O: 604-876-2447 Ext. 247
C: 604-671-0891