The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

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June 17, 2008

BBBS seeks mentors in Georgetown

Group talks need with local officials

BY APRIL EVANS

GEORGETOWN — Georgetown aldermen Monday heard the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Vermilion County is looking for mentors in their town.

BBBS Executive Director Rose Henton and community based case manager Jaime Hinchee made the presentation to the council in an effort to make an appeal to the community about the need for volunteer mentors, especially males, in the area.

Henton said there are 11 girls and 29 boys on the area waiting list, seven of those boys in Georgetown. Some of them have been waiting for a mentor for more than a year.

“These young men really need help in your community,” said Henton.

Henton said being a Big Brother or Big Sister takes a commitment of four hours a month, which can be scheduled once a month or once a week, depending on his or her schedule. However, the short amount of time spent with the child makes a big impact on them.

She said activities with the child don’t have to be expensive, but can be geared more toward sharing what you know, whether that is how to ride a bike or sew or play basketball.

For more information about the program or to learn how to become a mentor, call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Vermilion County at 446-6601 or visit its Web site at http://www.bbbsvc.org.

In other business, aldermen:

-- Approved landscaping plans made possible through Keep Vermilion County Beautiful grants.

The Georgetown Ladies Community Club applied and received a $300 grant that will go toward landscaping Memorial Park on the northeast corner of the downtown square. An ornamental willow tree, bushes, different grasses and mulch are planned for the area around the World War II memorial.

A bench that is to be built by the Georgetown-Ridge Farm building trades classes also will be placed there in the future.

The library also received approval to use money they received from a KVCB grant to enhance the entrance of the library with new pedestal flower planters and a bench.

-- Approved a contract with Michael Witherspoon for the city audit that will cost between $5,500 and $6,500 and will be com-plete by mid-July.

-- Heard that fireworks are scheduled to be shot off at dusk on July 4, with a rain date of July 6 if needed.

-- Heard Mayor Darrell Acord thank city workers for their extra hours through the nights during the last few hard rains that drenched the city.

“They did an excellent job of keeping the sewers running and the major areas from flooding,” said Acord.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Georgetown City Council meets at 7 p.m. July 7 at the Georgetown City Hall.

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