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PAGE 20, WMTByFMEEPPRWEDNMDAY, FEBRUAy 14, 1M BIG SISTER WEEK Special reainhp o help children as thegrwp By Trudie Zavadovies Kim is a 7year-old with bouncy brown eaI laughing blue eyes and the 'hint of a dimple on her left cbeek. Her 'restaurants,» says Kim. "We think of tbings to do together.» The organization also arrangs many social functions that Big and lattIe Sisters can participate have a 'Little Buddy' programn for boy frm ge 7 to 10 who would beneit roma female aduit in their life. Big Sisters now bas a waiting list Of 30 Little Sisters and three Little Buddies. Big Sister Week ruris from Feb. 12 to 19. There will be a display ail day Satur- day Feb. 17 at the Oshawa Shop- ping Centre. They hope to pro- mote awareness of the Big Sister programn and to recruit , those interested ini becoming Big Sis- ters. Monthly' orientation wili be held Tuesday,'Feb. 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. at 387 Simcoe St. S. For more information cali (416) 436-0951. BIG and Little Sisters Jan and Kim say on thefr lives. thefr union has had a positive impact Peter Tomblin photo bubbly personality is infectuous, and she cari genuinely warm a room or a heart. She is the second youngest of four siblings, a brother and sister and two steps9isters. They pla, they eat, they fight, they laug, they cry, and they share. Sinoe August, *im as another sister, a Big Sister who bas become a special friend to ber. She didn't hesitate when ber mom asked ber if she wanted a big sister. It 1 took about two months before Kaim was matched up with ber big sister Jan. They clicked immediately. . I was really excited,» says Kim."I tbougt Iwas going to have a nice big sister, nd I do.» Their rapprt and affection is unmistakabe Kim and ja get together about once a =ek . They walk, tbey talk and do tbxngs together. "I like that you can have lots of fun with tbem. Sometirnes we make crafts, or cakes, or go to i if they wish to. This is Jan's first time being a big sister and she loves it. "It bas cbanged my attitude. I ama bub- blier and more friendly. 1 felt I bad a void in my life. Havinig a littie sister bas filled tbat voidi.I arn more ceip"'dent in myseif.» Mucb Of ti18 tîme tbey spend together is one-on-one, witb scbe- dules;approved by KimWs motber. Applicants go through a care- fui âcreening proclss before bcming big sisters. "Bigsîsters are asked to make a min commitnient of a year with an average oôf three to four bours spent with! tbe littie sister,» says Debbie 'Hemphill support co-ordinator. «Many J~ tbem (friendships) last a life- tirne.» Unlike Big Brotbers, Big Sis- ters of Nèwcastle-Oshawa.. Whitby doesn't only tàke appli- cants crm single parent farnil ies nor do they take only girls. They March is Kidney Mont h KidLny fomdation da-cne on March The lUth annual idney Tickets 'are $15acopletrnlntains.ody e Hospital.'The local unit will free Foundation dance, spsored by Lunch will bel served. Tickets-t ctnsplat e enoy god alt ide tetsfomh.igt the Ransberry farniY, Will be held available at thie door.The eent adjins bis frniy gin heatravddel tie ntsfo hospi oe March 3 at the Newcastle kicks off at 8 p.m. and continues belp, others afflicted with -kidney histainin tfeatment N ec as ty Ha l ii St., until 1 a r. disease. The rn err s>' c nj ncio Newc aemnTheaRansberrys. -became Duirham residents are witkh té Durham ui'o h TheTraeme, afiv-piceinvolved in fà~nd raising for the reminded that Mardi is Kdny ine unna i of anda country and- western.band,- will,.KIidneyFu 1 to 1 trfmlymnbin aaa.Maw ie, eo uràreidensofttndth return teovde -the"etetIn. ebDn 1àibir ~ti sa pca er foi.,ny dur aPpideito ûattenid te ment Meawhlle, «square underwenta kdey tasln nDra ihy »insLTè oti e z j c e ~ h w rd' ng s s ritnal d ey u itd at C)sh wa ene a a s e ry t 9 3 9 Big Sisters of Newcaste-Oohawa-Whitby Purpose: - dedicated to encourage the well being of youths through friendsbip and support - to develop and impement prograrns wdhhresond to the neesof the qommumity. Membership: 60 Big Fundinr. a United Way agency contact:~ Debbie Hempbill 387 Simcoe St. S. Oshawa 436-0951