BBBS Receives $50K From NIPSCO, NiSource Charitable Foundation
BBBS Receives $50K From NIPSCO, NiSource Charitable Foundation
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Staff Report-
BBBS Receives $50K From NIPSCO, NiSource Charitable Foundation FORT WAYNE - NIPSCO and the NiSource Charitable Foundation announced a $50,000 donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Northeast Indiana over the next two years.
This donation will go toward expanding the Conservation Buddies program, which is dedicated to environmental education, according to a news release from BBBS.
Serving 12 counties in Northeast Indiana, including Kosciusko County, the Fort Wayne-based BBBS agency started Conservation Buddies last year with the support of Big Brother Andrew Niedermeyer and Big Sister Charita Niedermeyer. As passionate hunters, nature lovers and volunteers with the organization, the Niedermeyers noticed a need for environmental education among Littles on interactive activities to make wildlife restoration, environmental protection and exposure to the outdoors fun for Littles ages 8-22, the release states.
With this donation from NIPSCO and the NiSource Charitable Foundation, BBBS will fund programming, equipment and supplies for two years. They will partner with local organizations such as Boy Scouts of America to host 20 activities, including two overnight campouts for 50 matches, and provide professional case management for 10 new Big and Little matches.
“Environmental education has many benefits for our Littles, Bigs and communities,” said Shelley Schwab, chief development officer of BBBS of Northeast Indiana. “It connects us to the world around us, providing pivotal teaching and learning moments about both natural and built environments. Our youth may learn about environmental education in the classroom but do not have the opportunity to experience hands-on learning.”
“In 2021, NIPSCO provided $5,000 through an Environmental Action grant to help seed Conservation Buddies,” said Dana Berkes, public affairs and economic development manager at NIPSCO, a NiSource company. “The program’s proven success and collaborative partnerships with environmental stewardship and conservation organizations across Northeast Indiana, along with the proven benefits of nature education on youth, is the reason Big Brothers Big Sisters was selected for this impact funding.”
So far, volunteers have guided Little Brothers and Sisters through bowfishing, planter box maintenance, building a rain garden, rifle shooting and education, honeybee care, archery and more. Through Conservation Buddies, Littles can learn to fish, ride a horse, and identify birds, and bond with their Big while doing so – and with NIPSCO, the educational opportunities won’t stop there.
“What I’m most excited for about Conservation Buddies is giving our kids this opportunity to explore the outdoors and experience something they never have before,” said Schwab. “It’s simply amazing. On our last camp-out, it was so sweltering hot, I thought everyone would be miserable. But when I looked at these kids, at every moment from the littlest things like making a S’more for the first time to the big milestones like learning to swim in a real lake, all I saw were these enormous eyes and beaming smiles. That’s why I’m honored to work with NIPSCO to bring this programming to our kids for another two years!”
To learn how you can positively impact a child’s life, donate or volunteer, visit the website at www.BBBSNEI.org.
