Category Archives: Our Stories

Ruth Kelly, Long Time Advocate and Volunteer for Children and Families, Dies at 60

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  The staff and board of Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters are deeply saddened by the passing of Ruth Kelly. Ruth was a longtime volunteer with our organization and served as Chair of the former Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton as well as the Marketing and Communications Committee.  She also was the first female Board Chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. We admired Ruth for her vision and her compassion and for always being … Continue reading

Celebrate Canada150!

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Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area (BGCBigs) is proud to launch #MyBGCBigsStory in celebration of #Canada150. We’ll share the stories of the people who helped create the fabric of our country.  All individuals connected now or in the past to BGCBigs are invited to submit stories, photos, videos, or simply a few thoughts on why they’re proud to have been a part of programs that build brighter futures for our kids and our community. … Continue reading

Running Can Change Lives

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From noon on March 11 to noon on March 12, two treadmills (provided by Flaman Fitness) at the Lululemon on Whyte were continuously powered by runners donating their sweat and their cash to the BGCBigs Eat Smart Program. It was the third-time River City Runners organized their 24 Hour Treadmill Challenge to raise money for a charity in Edmonton. This year, they chose to make sure that BGCBigs can continue to provide hot and healthy meals to some of our … Continue reading

Harvard, Here I Come

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When Rafael was just 7 years old, his family moved from the Philippines to Canada. They landed in Edmonton and Rafael started Grade 2 in September at McKee Elementary only knowing a few words of English. He struggled to keep up in class, and his reading and writing skills were understandably well below his grade level. He didn’t have any friends; kids in his class would make fun of him because he couldn’t understand them, and often he would sit … Continue reading

Meet Your Everyday Hero

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This story was written by the City of Edmonton. Giving back to the community is something Fadhl, a Transit Peace Officer with Edmonton Transit Service, takes to heart. Born in Syria, he has been living in Canada for 18 years and in our city for just over one year. He remembers what it was like to be the “new kid on the block” and have to get used to a new culture. Almost two decades ago, his family fled the … Continue reading