It was CEO vs. CEO in the “BIG Tip Off” Basketball challenge between the Y of Greater Pittsburgh and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
But no matter which CEO sunk the most baskets, the real winners were the kids who benefited from the new partnership between the two organizations.
The Y of Greater Pittsburgh and Big Brothers Big Sisters recently announced the details of their new partnership at the “BIG Tip Off” event at the Thelma Lovette Y at 2114 Centre Ave. The “BIG Tip Off” challenge pitted the basketball skills of Y of Greater Pittsburgh CEO Rig Riggins against those of Big Brothers Big Sisters CEO Jan Glick in a friendly competition.
“This initiative will introduce our ‘littles’ to physical fitness opportunities they may otherwise never have,” said Glick, “We are excited to encourage the kids and their mentors to take advantage of the many programs available at our local YMCA branches.”
Glick attened the “BIG Tip Off” event with aproximately 30 participants from the program. The event began with a short greeting and information about the Y’s resources that will be available to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Pairs, followed by the Basketball Shoot-Out Challenge. Afterward, kids and their mentors spent the afternoon enjoying basketball, dodgeball and an obstacle course.
The partnership will not only give the “Big/Little” pairs additional options for positive mentoring activities, but will also promote community-based healthy living solutions. Each pair can choose a Y of Greater Pittsburgh branch to be their home branch. The pair can sign up together for a free one-year special membership to the branch, which includes the use of any of the amenities at the Y such as the pool, gym, exercise equipment or group fitness classes as long as the pair attends together.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters is a positive and effective program that embodies the Y’s core values of youth development and social responsibility,” said Riggins. “We fully support the efforts of these volunteers who donate their time to guide young people through difficult circumstances and help them grow into confident, responsible adults. We are happy to offer our resources to make it easier for the volunteers to find fun, healthy activities to enjoy with their young mentees.”
