Wondering "what to do?"

Looking to mix up your hangout with your Little?

We've scoured the web to find some fun events in the community for you and your Little!

2012 World of Motorcycles Expo

Do you and your Little like motorcycles? Do you want to see motorcycles from around the world!?! Well this weekend you can! The 2012 World of Motorcycles Expo is here and it’s an all ages event, held at the Agriplex Western Fair District!

Show Times:           

Friday February 10, 2012 (4pm-10pm)

Saturday February 11, 2012 (9am-6pm)

Sunday February 12, 2012 (10am-5pm)

Where: The Western Fair District (845 Florence Street)

Location: Agriplex

Phone: 519-319-5339

Admission Fees:

$15 for General Admission

Kids 12 years and under are FREE

Website

Western Mustangs Basketball!

Tip off for the Women’s Basketball game is at 6pm

Tip off for the Men’s Basketball game is at 8pm

Both teams will be taking on the McMaster Marauders for a regular season match up at Alumni Hall on Wednesday February 15^th.

For inquiries, please call: 519-661-3551

Website

Egypt: Gift of the Nile

You and your Little will travel back in time at the Children’s Museum and see models and artifacts of ancient Egypt! Together you can translate hieroglyphics and have your picture taken with the museum’s very own sarcophagus! You can even crawl into a pyramid! The exhibit runs from January 20^th until April 1^st.

Location: The Children’s Museum is located at 21 Wharncliffe Road South

Phone: 519-434-5726

Admission is $7 per person....* Don’t forget your Match card

Website

While you are out at these events or anytime you and your Little are having fun snap some pictures and send them our way! Your match hangout could be featured in our blog!!

How does your match get featured?

Send an email to: Marina Brkljaca (marina.brkljaca@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca) with photos and a brief write up about the day you and your Little had.

'Like' Lerners & Support us!

Lerners cares about the community

"At Lerners we don’t just talk about community service, we’re actively engaged in it in a variety of ways."- Lerners LLP

And, right now Lerners is showing Londoners how committed they are!

Lerners has launched their new Facebook page! And, to celebrate that Lerners will be featuring charities on their Facebook page.

Why is this so exciting!?!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of London & Area is their first featured charity!!!

What does this mean??

For every visitor who "likes" the Lerners' Facebook page, Lerners will donate $1 (to a maximum of $2,500).

For the month of February get all your friends, family and co-workers to 'like' Lerners' new Facebook page and support Big Brothers Big Sisters of London & Area!

What your 'likes' will do?

Through our mentorship programs, BBBSOLA facilitates life-changing relationships which inspire and empower young people to reach their full potential — helping to create strong and resilient community members. 

NINETY-ONE percent of Littles feel better about themselves after being matched with a mentor

What to do...

Why not something FUN & FREE!

There is so much to do in the community!  And, it doesn't even have to cost you a dollar! Take your Little to one or more of these FUN & FREE events happing this weekend!

Take your Little to the Starry Night Skate!

Description: Enjoy a free skate with your Little! Oxford Learning at Storybook Gardens is holding the skate from 6pm-8pm on January 20th. You can skate under the stars and see the animals! You may even win a door prize! All you have to do is bring a non-perishable food item for the London and Area Food Bank! You can skate and support a worthy cause! If you have questions call: 519-472-3321

Address:1958 Storybook Lane

website

Celebrate Canada's Heritage!

Description: You and your Little can discover the finest Inuit and North American Aboriginal Art together at The Innuit Gallery. Celebrating 27 years of excellence.  The Innuit Gallery specializes in carvings in stone, whalebone & antler, Inuit prints, jewellery, and paintings. This FUN experience is FREE!! If you have questions call: 519-672-7770.

Address: 201 Queens Ave.

Hours of operation:  

Monday - Friday 10:00am to 5:30pm

Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm

website

Check out the Market!

Description:The Covent Garden Market was formally established in 1845 and is one of London's cultural landmarks. You and your Little can check out what's new and fresh at the Covent Garden Market! Maybe you can treat your Little to a tasty snack from a local vendor!  And, don't forget your skates! You can skate right in front of the Market!

Address: 310 King Street

Hours of operation:

Monday - Saturday: 8:00am to 6:00pm

Friday: 8:00am to 7:30pm & Sunday: 11:00am to 4:00pm

website

Celebrate history!     *This event requires a small fee*

Description:Take your Little to The Banting House National Historic Site of Canada! Not only can you celebrate the great discovery, but you and your Little can also learn about the life of Sir Fredrick Grant Banting!  Here are a list of the permanent exhibitions at Banting House: London - the birthplace of insulin, Banting as the co-discoverer of insulin, artist and war hero, the Royal Visit and the Flame of Hope. For questions about Banting House call: 519-673-1752.

Address: 422 Adelaide St. N.

Hours of operation: Tuesday to Saturday: 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Admission:

Adults: $5

Seniors & Students: $4

Children (under 5): FREE

Family: $12

Group: $60 

website

 

Register now, so you don't miss out on this FUN & FREE event!

On Family Day (February 20th) Ed Holder (MP for London West) is holding his annual Skate for Kids at the Western Fair on one of its ice pads.  It's a free event. But, you have to register in advance to ensure ice time.

The first skate will start at noon and end between 1:30pm and 1:45pm. 

The event will be held on "Rink D" of the Western Fair Sports Centre, located on 316 Rectory Street.

Cookies, hot chocolate and coffee will be provided.  *Please keep in mind that the Western Fair does not guarantee gluten-free or nut-free products.

Please note: Appropriate waivers will need to be completed by or on behalf of all skaters participating.

Skaters are encouraged to bring voluntary donations for the Food Bank. Not, only can you have fun with your Little, but you can also give back to the community! 

To register call: 519-644-0011

Mentoring Matters

"I can have whatever life I want"

I was first introduced to my Big Sister Trisa when I was nine years old and she was twenty-five I won't deny she wasn't what I pictured. But then we started to get to know one another and she turned out to be more than I had pictured or expected. Now, eight years later I can't believe that our time as Big and Little Sisters is almost done. But I am not sad, I am happy. I am happy because they helped me find this incredible woman that taught me that I don't have to get married and have children, I can have whatever life I want. She taught me independence, strength, generosity, heroism and love in a way no other woman could. She made me the young woman I am today.

~Little Sister Alycia

What does being a mentor mean?

 A mentor is someone for a young person to rely on. They are a friend who provides care, stability and support for children and youth through their developmental years. Mentors teach their Little, that the Little is important, deserves respect and are worth loving.

Mentors are:

• Responsible, trustworthy and stable role model
• Caring and compassionate
• Energetic
• Good listeners
• Fun and Outgoing
• Patient and Kind
• Open to different points of view
• Believe in the capabilities of others  

What mentors do:

Just by being that consistent role model, Bigs change the trajectory of their Littles' lives. Not only do mentored children have greater success in life and school, but they also develop a greater sense of:

• Self-Esteem
• Confidence
• Social Skills
• Physical Growth
• Emotional Health
• Morality
• Sense of Trust and Belonging. 

Click here for details if you would like to be a mentor.

  

Click this link to watch a video about mentoring.

Free Winter Fun

Wondering what activities you and your Little could do during the winter months...

Check out these fun and free winter activities!

There’s something for everyone!

Make paper snowflakes! – Just because it doesn’t look like winter outside, that doesn’t mean you can’t get in on the winter fun! Click this link for insturctions. And, let it snow, by making paper snowflakes!

Have a games’ night! – With temperatures dropping well below zero, it gets chilly fast! Why not stay in and play games. Some great games are UNO, Checkers, Sorry, Monopoly, Life...the list goes on! There is so many fun games to choose from!

Go ice skating together! – Dress warm, lace up those skates and take to the ice at one of your local outdoor rinks!

Read a book! – Why not check out the local library together and read books that have a winter theme!

Get creative! – Why not colour some winter pictures! Click this link to choose a picture or two or more! 

Send us pictures of your winter fun with our Little and you could be featured on our blog!