NILES – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass has elected new officers and new team members to the Board of Directors.

They are: Tim Brown, owner of Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services (president);  Kathy Hoffman, interior designer with Susan Fredman Designs, of New Buffalo (vice president); Mary Hale, Realtor, Coldwell Bank Real Estate, of Niles (secretary);  and Angela Eiting, 1st Source Bank, of Niles (treasurer). Brown is a charter member and a board member of the Kiwanis Club of Southwest Michigan as well as serving on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass board for more than six years.

Brown is also a member of the Niles Rotary Club; president of the Board of Directors for New Hope Church;  on the Hospice at Home Advisory Board; and currently on the Niles Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Brown is also a member of the National Funeral Directors Association.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass Board of Directors’ member Kathy Hoffman, in addition to serving as Vice President, is also a Big Sister to a River Valley School District student.

During her tenure on the board, Hoffman has also taken on the strategic planning leadership role.

Mary Hale and Angela Eiting have also taken on the added benefit of becoming Big Sisters to their respective Littles, both students at Eastside School in Niles.

“We are delighted to have this wonderful team of committed board members, all of whom believe in the tremendous value of mentoring a child,” said Kathryn Rossow, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass.

In addition to the newly-elected executive board members, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass’ Board of Directors has appointed new members to its board including; Michelle Jensen of Edwardsburg; Michael Redd of Granger, Ind.; Sheila Powenski-Stafford of South Bend; Larry Sehy of Niles;and Alan Yacobozzi of St. Joseph.
Others continuing on the board in various capacities are: Diane Haslett, Niles; Jazmine Kyles, Niles; Susan Larson, Niles; Emily McLoughlin, Cassopolis; Jerry Rossow, Buchanan; Robert Smith, Bridgman; and Jane Wise, Berrien Springs.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass, a United Way partner agency, helps vulnerable children beat negative odds.

Professionally-supported volunteer services are proven to reduce children’s risk of dropping out of school; becoming violent; using drugs and alcohol; and falling victim to other negative cycles.

Big Brothers Big Sisters and its network of supporters recognize the hardship, pain and challenges that children in too many communities confront.

There’s an urgent demand for what the organization achieves. In addition to the traditional mentoring program, which matches a Big Brother or a Big Sister with a child of the same gender for at least one year, BBBS provides “Lunch Buddy” mentors who meet with a child at their school once a week during lunchtime.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass is celebrating 42 years of service. Learn how to join at www.bbbsofbc.org/index.php  or call (269) 684-1100, toll free (877) 367-2244.