Program for Children of Incarcerated Parents Benefits from Elite Pro Cycling Race

Jefferson City,  MO – (May 21, 2009) – 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 elite professional cycling 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 an annual meeting of the National Lt. Governor's Association where it was adopted with unanimous consent.  The mentoring initiative is now in place in many states across the country.  In 2008 Lt. Governor Kinder was awarded the Big Brothers Big Sisters Visionary Award for his dedication to children with incarcerated parents.

"It is a privilege to bring together the Tour of Missouri elite professional cycling race and Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi Missouri for the second year," said Lt. Governor Kinder.  "As the Tour's official charity, residents and cities throughout Missouri will be made aware of the positive impact Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi Missouri has on our youth. This program is changing lives and bettering the future of young people across our state."

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.

"Lt. Governor Kinder has been a strong advocate for our organization and we are grateful to have once again been selected as the official charity for the Tour of Missouri," said Becky James-Hatter, President/CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. "We look forward to another great race, and the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for the families we serve."

The 2009 Tour of Missouri is a seven day race featuring 15 elite international professional cycling teams crossing the state. The race begins in St. Louis on September 7 and will route west to Kansas City. Additional host cities along the 600+ mile east to west course include Sedalia, Ste. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau; Farmington, Rolla, St. James, Jefferson City , St. Joseph.

The Tour's opening gala, taking place in St. Louis on September 6, will include a silent auction, proceeds of which will benefit BBBSAM. In addition, there will be online auctions of unique experiences, premium bicycles, signed jerseys and other exciting collectibles.

"We are delighted to continue our support of the BBBSAM program for the second consecutive year," 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 St. Louis on September 6, to the finish in Kansas City on September 13, proceeds from a number of activities will benefit children throughout the state."

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 on becoming a mentor visit www.bbbsemo.org or call (314) 361-5900.
For more information on the Tour of Missouri visit www.tourofmissouri.com

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