vBIG FRIEND continued from page 13 both have fun doing. It didn’t take them long before they had about two pages of ideas, including some for each season: BFLF fun functions, archery, going to the beach, scavenger hunt, sledding, having bonfire/grilling out, going to the pool, to the park and ice skating. The event that Schurlock is most looking forward to attending with Flynn is the Wild Water West Fun Function at the end of the summer. “I want to go down the white slide, it’s really fast,” he explained. I could already tell that this was going to be a wonderful friendship. Beginning in March, BFLF will be adding another level to their program by adding a third friend to their matches. They will be teaming up with Avera Majestic Bluffs, an assisted living center in Yankton. As Director Bailey states, “Existing BFLF matches will go to Majestic Bluffs once per month as a group to spend time with their ‘Senior Friend.’ We will participate in both group and individual activities such as board and card games, going for walks, singing songs, knitting, gardening, fishing, and much more. This will be a great opportunity for youth to learn about philanthropy and giving back to their community. We are thrilled for the opportunity to partner with Majestic Bluffs in an effort to enhance the lives of our youth and residents of Majestic Bluffs alike.” The BFLF program is excited about the upcoming annual Bowl-A-Thon. Now on its 20th year, this year held on Saturday, April 16th at the Yankton Bowl & Family Fun Center. Youth in Kindergarten through 5th grade are invited for free bowling during two sessions, 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM. If you would like to help contribute to the BFLF program, there are a few options for you. Businesses and individuals have three options of sponsorship, $200, $300 or $500. As Bailey explains, “These team sponsorships pay for an afternoon of bowling for one team of four youth, snacks and a drink, as well as a t-shirt and door prizes. The $300 and $500 level sponsors receive additional publicity by having their name put on the back of the t-shirt and being invited to be a ‘celebrity bowler’ for the day. Any money that is not spent on the Bowl-A-Thon is put directly back into the program, whether it’s to provide background checks for mentors, paying for Fun Functions and new program ideas, or committing to the growth of our program and enhancing the level of mentoring provided in this community. There will also be at least two raffle drawings this year that will be announced in the upcoming weeks.” Want to be a Friend? Executive Director Bailey explained that anyone wishing to apply for the program can find the application on their website at www.bigfriendlittlefriend.org. You may also call him with questions at (605)-665-6365. They ask that you devote two to four hours per month to your little friend and attend the Fun Functions once per month. You can choose to spend an hour per week together or get together on the weekends. The BFLF organization tries to complete a service project together once per quarter. “It might seem like a big commitment but if you break it down to an hour or two hours a week or every other week and just think about how easy it is to take that much social media out of your schedule. Just think of how much impact you can have on a little friend for just an hour of your time,” explained Flynn. If you’re in the program, keep an open mind about activities to do together, suggested Leibfarth. Try a variety of different events that your little friend might like to do. “The biggest thing that surprised me was how much I anticipated the next thing we were going to do, and how I could think of little things to do. I always tried to think of something that we might learn something from,” she explained. Leibfarth expressed her feelings throughout the years of friendship with Flynn, “I felt sometimes like I wasn’t enough.” She explained how sometimes she would back off a little and give her space and other times contact her more often. Now learning how much she impacted Flynn’s life by being a big friend to her and seeing her carry on the Big Friend-Little Friend tradition, she said whole-heartedly, “It really felt good. It really got me in my heart.” By the look on their faces, I had no doubt that some friendships can last forever. vBy Julie Eickhoff Are you a busy parent looking for QUICK and HEALTHY meal ideas? The Hy-Vee DISH Class Is PERFECT For You! D.I.S.H. Dinner is Served at... 20vHERVOICEvMARCH/APRIL 2016 Why DISH: Hy-Vee provides the recipes and does the shopping, prep, and clean-up for you! All you do is measure ingredients, put them in a freezer bag! What You Get: 4 great tasting meals that will feed 4-6 people per meal. Cost: You get all 4 meals for just $80. Contact dietian Kenny Tomek at 665-3412 or ktomek@hyvee.com with questions or to sign up. 2100 Broadway, Yankton Save TIME and MONEY with this great class!