Wake Forest University student volunteers from various campus organizations will host “Kickball for Kids,” an on-campus field day event for 75 to 100 children from Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Forsyth County, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 2 on Davis Field.
The event, which is not open to the general public, was initiated three years ago by a BBBS intern who was also a Wake Forest student. It provides the opportunity for current Big Brothers and Big Sisters and their “Littles” to enjoy a day of fun and also pairs up children on the waiting list with a college student for the day.
Activities will include a series of kickball games, relay events, face painting, beauty workshops, a cookout and performances by Wake Forest groups, including the Demon Divas, the Wake Forest Cheer and Dance Team and campus musical groups.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters has a large volunteer force on campus, with nearly 50 volunteers from the student body paired up with Little Brothers and Little Sisters. Our goal is to continue to increase Wake Forest’s involvement with this organization and bring in more and more kids each year for a fun, field day event,” said Wake Forest junior and event coordinator Joshua Traeger.
Holly Lewis, program director for BBBS, said that the event is a great opportunity for BBBS children to be on a college campus and interact with college students, something they may not have the opportunity to do. “We have close to 100 children on our waiting list. Boys have to wait two years to get a Big Brother, and girls wait six to eight months for a Big Sister. We always try to have activities these children can still participate in while they wait. We will bring 20 to 30 children from that waiting list to pair up with a college student for the day, hoping to encourage more students to volunteer,” said Lewis.
Student volunteers represent Wake Forest campus organizations including the Volunteer Service Corps, Delta Delta Delta sorority, Baptist Student Union, Athletes Care Team, Sigma Pi and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternities and three groups from the Wake Forest School of Law: the Public Interest Law Organization, the Domestic Violence Advocacy Center and the Student Bar Association. Student BBBS volunteers from Winston-Salem State University will also participate.
Interviews with Kickball for Kids organizers and BBBS representatives can be arranged. Media representatives are welcome to attend the event.
NOTE TO THE EDITOR: To arrange coverage or an interview, contact Pam Barrett at 336-758-5237.
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