Match Memories

Still Sisters Today
by: BS Eileen (Missy) Egan

I was an active Big from 1990 – 1998 until my Little Sister Libby graduated from high school. She is now 26 years old, married and living in Washington, DC. 

She still calls me “sister” and I am a very proud aunt to her 1-year-old son and “sister-in-law” to her husband. 

I just wanted to share that LS Libby and BS Eileen, once matched through the BBBS program, are “sisters” still today. 

A Dedication to BS Eileen Egan:

Former Little Sister Libby Gimpel recently posted this photo on her fundraiser Web site for The National AIDS Marathon Training Program. During her training, her former Big Sister Missy asked her to dedicated one of Libby’s longer runs to her as a Christmas present. 

“I chose the 17 mile run because I had not been able to do either one of my required training runs that week,” said Libby. “I knew that the 17 mile [run] was going to be a huge mental challenge, so I [thought] that was the perfect one to dedicate to her.”

Libby said that the run was “one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.” She also hails the program as the perfect opportunity to do something for herself and for so many in need. 

The National AIDS Marathon Training Program is a six-month physical conditioning program that trains individuals to complete a marathon and help raise millions of dollars for the fight to end AIDS. 

What this Shakira Concert Meant to Me
by: LS Christine 

It meant so much fun to me. I have never been to a concert before. It was so exciting that I went to my first concert and went to see Shakira. When I met Shakira I was so excited that I wanted to scream but I didn’t want to scream in front of her. I took my pictures to school and my friends were so surprised. And all of them were going “how did you get to her!” and I said “well me and my big sister got it”. Thank you so much for this surprise and gift, for taking me to the concert. This is something I will remember the rest of my life.

What this Concert Meant to Me
by: BS Julie Porter

This concert was an amazing time for both Chrissy and me. When I first called to say that we would be interested in the tickets, I did not think it would end up being this big of a deal. I honestly thought we would have tickets in the nosebleed section, but that it would still be an awesome adventure for the two of us. Wow was I wrong! It meant so much to me to see the look on Chrissy’s face and be with her that night as we met Wyclef Jean and Shakira. At times Chrissy was definitely speechless, as was I. Seeing the number of folks that came out to surprise Chrissy was also a tear jerker. For Chrissy to see how many people care about her (even though they don’t know her) and want to share this special moment and support her was fantastic. 

When I picked Chrissy up yesterday so we could write our thank you cards and these mini-essays, we of course listened to Shakira. Each song that played, Chrissy would exclaim “she played this one!” or “oh, she didn’t play this one, but she played the last one we listened to”. Little did she know that meant the world to me to hear her say that because it meant that she really remembered that night and really does love Shakira’s music. That and I was a little bit worried she didn’t know some of Shakira’s Spanish music. I learned however that while she may not know all of the words like I do, she definitely knows the songs. 

Waiting for Shakira to arrive to the area we were at backstage was painful. There were many jokes about it being “tortura” and one of the girls yelled “Shakira, ESTOY AQUI!” (all jokes coming from some of Shakira’s songs). Beforehand one of the ladies in charge told Chrissy that Shakira loves little girls and Chrissy’s face LIT up. When Shakira finally got to where all of her adoring fans were waiting, she gave everybody a hug. Chrissy got a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Then one crazy Shakira fan took over showing Shakira her two tattoos and showering her with gifts. After the pictures though, Shakira started to leave, but then stepped back to give Chrissy another hug and kiss on the cheek. At that moment I really wished they allowed us to bring cameras because the look on Chrissy’s face was again priceless.

This is a memory Chrissy and I will always be able to look back on and smile about. We talked about how not very many people get to do things like this, and how we would both remember it for the rest of our lives. We have the kind folks at BBBS to thank for all of this.

Little Brother Ephraim’s mother, Angela Peterson, asked BBBS to include this poem in our newsletter. The poem was written by Ephraim’s grandmother. It is dedicated to BB Theodis Sumler in appreciation for the time and effort he spends with LB Ephraim. 

WE APPRECIATE YOU

There aren’t enough beautiful flowers
To equate to your abundance of hours
For you I have the utmost respect
As my Ephraim you help protect

You feed the energy that‘s lacking
As a man, there is no back tracking
To Theo, my warmest gratitude
For guidance and goodness you exude

Thank you for your actions of caring
All the time your heart you are sharing
For discipline that is firm and direct
Examples of ways he must correct

Your interest is beyond curious
Your involvement makes it serious
For disseminating right and wrong
His behavior is sure to be strong

Thank you for your big wonderful heart
From his mind wisdom will not depart
Thanks for your unwavering support
Keeping him from clutches of the court

I hope you know that we truly care
And appreciate that you are there
Taking precious time from family
To teach him responsibility

As mother of Ephraim Jerido
Thanks profusely for helping him grow
Without his father close by his side
You help instill a true sense of pride

You keep him occupied and amused
Deterring his mind of being confused
Strengthening his mind sensibly
Keeping him focused responsibly


J. Holland Dickson