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Program for Children of Incarcerated Parents Benefits from Pro Cycling Race
St. Louis, MO – (July 7, 2008) – Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, along with officials with Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi Missouri (BBBSAM) and the Tour of Missouri, today announced a partnership between the two organizations. In addition to enhancing awareness of BBBSAM by selecting it as the official beneficiary of the Tour, charitable activities throughout the seven day race will benefit the program for children of incarcerated parents.
Lt. Governor Peter Kinder has been a strong advocate for Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi Missouri. Through his leadership, the Missouri Mentoring Initiative was created allowing 300 eligible, full-time state employees one hour per week of paid approved work to mentor in Missouri public primary and secondary schools for up to 40 hours annually. Kinder introduced the Missouri Mentoring Initiative model at the National Lt. Governor’s Association annual meeting where it was adopted with unanimous consent. The mentoring initiative is now in place in many states across the country. Last month Lt. Governor Kinder was awarded the Big Brothers Big Sisters Visionary Award for his dedication to children with incarcerated parents.
“I am pleased that Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi Missouri will be the official charity of the second Tour of Missouri Professional Cycling Race,” said Lt. Governor Kinder. “This program is changing lives and bettering the future of young people across our state. It is my hope that this partnership will be beneficial for a number of Missouri children.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi Missouri (BBBSAM) is a statewide mentoring partnership program with an overall goal to build a statewide network of quality one-to-one mentoring services for children of incarcerated parents and change the lives of our Little Brothers and Little Sisters for the better, forever. In partnership with local BBBS agencies and Missouri Department of Corrections, BBBSAM aims to ensure that children, no matter where they live or move, have the opportunity to be matched with a caring and consistent Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor to help them with the ups and downs of daily life.
“We are excited that our organization has been chosen as the beneficiary of this year’s Tour of Missouri. Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder’s committment to Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi Missouri has allowed the program to be a great success for the children we serve,” said Becky James-Hatter, President/CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri.
The 2008 Tour of Missouri is a seven day race featuring 15 elite international professional cycling teams crossing the state. The race begins on September 8 with a stage race from St. Joseph to
Kansas City, and finishes with a circuit race in St. Louis on Sunday, September 14. An opening gala,
taking place in Kansas City on September 6, will include a silent auction, proceeds of which will benefit BBBSAM. In addition, sales of commemorative prints and silent auctions in finish cities along the course will benefit BBBSAM. Items available through the auctions include premium bicycles, signed jerseys and other exciting collectibles.
“It is a privilege to support the BBBSAM program,” said Chris Aronhalt, event director with Medalist Sports, organizer of the Tour of Missouri. “It is gratifying to know that beginning with the Tour’s opening gala in Kansas City on September 6, to the finish in St. Louis on September 14, proceeds from a number of activities will benefit local children.”
The Big Brothers Big Sisters Mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth. For more information visit www.bbbsemo.org or call (314) 361-5900.
The second Tour of Missouri has been extended from six to seven days after an extremely successful inaugural event in 2007. This year’s event will once again showcase some of the state’s most beautiful roads and rolling terrain, rich history and diverse scenery. From the start in St. Joseph, site of the Pony Express, to Kansas City, to the Ozarks, to the bourgeoning wine country, culminating with a blockbuster weekend with stops in historic St. Charles and the ultimate finish in St. Louis with the Gateway Arch as a backdrop. For more information visit www.tourofmissouri.com
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