Some local community members who volunteer their time to make a
difference in a child's life are being honored. Thursday night at Great Dane in Wausau, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Wisconsin held a community recognition gathering.

Donald Pagel was awarded "Big of the Year" for school-based matches.

Jodi Forster won "Big of the Year" for community-based matches. Forster has been a mentor to an elementary student in Merrill for a year and a half.

Forster said, "It was love at first sight. We just started doing stuff together, looking up stuff at the library and now she just worked her way in and now she's part of the family."

Forster said as a big sister, she feels like she gets more out it than her little sister, Kimmy.

The organization also recognized past board members and other volunteers.

A drawing for a trip to the island of Saint Marten in the Caribbean was also held Thursday night. Thousands of people in the community helped purchased a ticket for $5 each or five for $20 and the organization exceeded its goal of $8,000.

Congratulations to Barb Stein of Tomahawk for winning the grand prize and Ken Krouse for winning a weekend getaway to Door County.

Bao Vang is a proud member of the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters