January 2025



IN THIS ISSUE:

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

This January, we’re celebrating National Mentoring Month with Big Brothers Big Sisters! Mentorship remains one of the most powerful tools we have to close the gap between people and possibility. Now more than ever, it remains critical that we continue expanding mentorship’s reach so that every child, no matter their circumstances, receives the village of support, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive.

Bowl for Kids' Sake 2025

Lego Edition

Bowl For Kids' Sake is BACK and already stacking up to be so much fun!

As SoAzBigs' largest fundraiser and awareness campaign, we invite you to register today!

Supporting one-to-one youth mentoring is as easy as 1-2-3!

#1 - Form a 6-Member Team made up of your family, friends, and co-workers!

#2 - Raise $160, per person, using your personal online fundraising link!

#3 - Reserve your Bowl Party session (March 21st, 22nd, or 28th) and enjoy of 2hours of FREE bowling, pizza, drinks, live DJ, prizes and More!

The Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA) held it's Annual Volunteer Awards Breakfast January 16th, recognizing the remarkable service of individuals, youth, and corporate volunteerism programs in our community.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona is proud to celebrate and honor Little Brother, Gabriel Thomas, as the 2025 Youth Volunteer of the Year

and Board of Director Chair, Rebecca Crane, as a 2025 Committee Service Recognition recipient.

Gabriel has been a “Little” in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona 2.0 program for 3 years. After his first year in the program, his " Big " encouraged him to apply for the volunteer internship role as the “Voice of Potential.” Once awarded the position, Gabriel jumped into the training and learned all he could about the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.

As the Voice of Potential, Gabriel attended organizational events such as the Bowl for Kids Fundraiser, Board of Director meetings, and the annual Gala. At all of these events and many others, Gabriel has spoken both formally and informally about the organization and its programs, as well as how the program impacts “littles” in the program and, more specifically, how it is impacting his life currently and how he feels it will affect his future.

Gabriel has had a close circle of support through this entire process and his voice provided the community with the ability to witness and interact with the impact of the program, not just through Gabriel also through his Big and his family. Gabriel’s Voice of Potential internship was only for one year.

“While his formal internship has ended, Gabriel has continued to volunteer to speak to more donors, more sponsors, more partners, and more potential volunteers because he knew what a difference it made for him.”

~Veronica Saiz, Director of Marketing and Corporate Engagement

Rebecca Crane is a Realtor and Team Owner of Signature Group at Real Broker and served as the 2024 Board of Directors Chair for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona. Her journey with the organization began in 2014 as a founding member of the Advocacy Board for Young Professionals, and she has been on the Board of Directors since 2019. Rebecca’s commitment to youth advocacy shines through her tireless efforts to raise awareness and support for Southern Arizona’s youth.

Beyond her work with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Rebecca is passionate about charitable initiatives focused on the well-being of children and families in her community. Every Thanksgiving, she donates five full dinners to families in need, bringing warmth and celebration to those who might otherwise go without. She also hosts an annual cornhole tournament, raising approximately $3,000 each year for a local charity. Her ongoing support extends to the Erik Hite Foundation, which provides essential childcare and family services for first responders, and The Care Fund, which offers critical mortgage and rent support to families during a child’s health crisis.

Rebecca embraces family life, cherishing moments with her partner, Jake, their lively two-year-old son, Axel, and their cherished dogs. She believes deeply in giving back and encourages others to volunteer or support community initiatives, highlighting how service not only creates lasting change but also fosters personal growth and fulfillment.

Your Support Makes a Difference!

Your support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona empowers young people to reach their full potential through life-changing connections.



Each donation fuels dreams, strengthens communities, and helps build a brighter future for our youth.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona

supportus@soazbigs.org www.soazbigs.org