December 2020

To our friends,

As we wrap up this challenging year that is 2020, I want to say THANK YOU for your continued support! Our staff, Bigs and families couldn't do the life-changing work that we do without the support from you and our entire community.

Looking ahead, we know the future is still uncertain. But we do know that mentoring won't stop. Bigs and our staff will continue to virtually be there for the Littles and families in our program. We will continue to overcome whatever obstacles the future may hold. Because our Littles and their families continue to need our support now more than ever before.

From all of us at BBBS, we wish you and your loved ones a safe and Happy New Year!


Stay well and warm,
Sandy Morales
Chief Executive Officer
Meet Big Brother Dan & Little Brother Demarkis

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County is pleased to recognize Big Brother Dan Klabunde as the Volunteer of the Month for December of 2020.

Big Brother Dan was matched with his Little Brother Demarkis in December of 2014. Dan has been alongside Demarkis through many trials and tribulations over the past six years. And like many other families in our program, this year has brought his Little Brother’s family many new and unforeseen challenges.

Dan has made a humble effort to support Demarkis and his entire family through it all. Dan has become Demarkis’s backbone during these past few months while living in this pandemic. He has never lost contact with Demarkis. He calls and texts to check in on him regularly and when times get too tough for Demarkis to handle, Dan is always willing to swing by to help get his mind off of things. Dan also helps Demarkis with school work and tries to help him through the demands of virtual learning. 

When some health challenges emerged in his Little Brother’s family, Dan called his Match Support Specialist as soon as he found out to ask how he could help. It was a true testament to the kind of person and Big Brother Dan is not only to Demarkis but to Demarkis’s entire family. He dropped off meals and some groceries to help bridge the gap in their time of need. In numerous conversations with Demarkis’s mother, she always expresses her pure gratitude for Dan. She can never say enough good things about him. In one of the most recent conversations, she said, “If someone asked Demarkis and our family who is our favorite superhero, it would definitely be Dan!” 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County is grateful to all of our volunteers who, like Dan, are making a difference one child at a time. Congratulations to Big Brother Dan on being our Big of the Month!


Interested in becoming a Big? Click here to learn more!
A Night of Fun at our Holiday "Party"

This year, our annual Holiday Party looked a little different but was still a blast! We hosted a Drive-Thru Holiday "Party" for our Bigs, Littles and their families this month to get in the holiday spirit. We had drive-thru hot chocolate, treats, and even surprised Littles with a holiday gift thanks to extremely generous donors! Then they were able to drive through the Olin-Turville Park Holiday Fantasy in Lights to continue the holiday cheer.
A BIG Thank You to our sponsor, M3 Insurance, for making this event possible!

We also want to thank UW Humorology, Kathy Michaelis & New Life Church members, Brandon Buchner & neighbors, and many others who generously donated and/or purchased gifts from our Amazon Wishlist to give to the Littles in our program this holiday season!
TOGETHER, WE ARE DEFENDERS OF POTENTIAL