Christmas rolls in early — on a Harley

[totalmotorcycle]

Christmas rolls in early — on a Harley
Wednesday, December 6, 2006 - By ERIN MADISON - Great Falls Tribune Staff writer - greatfallstribune.com





Big Brothers Big Sisters' first Christmas present came a little early — the organization moved into a larger, wheelchair accessible location in mid-November.

The next round of Christmas presents will come this weekend when the local Harley Owners Group throws a party for the organization, complete with a gift for each one of the kids.

The party starts out with the motorcycle riders making a lap around town with presents strapped to their bikes, escorted by police cars and fire trucks. The ride ends at the Harley-Davidson dealership where the Harley Owners Group is hosting a party for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

In the case of bad weathers, riders will meet at the dealership.

It's an event that's been going on about 25 years, said James Olson, activity director for the motorcycle group.

"It's fun. It's just so much fun," he said.

And the children look forward to it every year, he added.

"You ought to see their faces."

Olson is expecting about 80 riders this year. Each one selects a child's name and buys a gift for that child. On Saturday, they'll get to deliver the gift personally.

Santa Clause and Mrs. Claus will be there as well. Of course, they'll be riding Harleys too — and leading the gang to the party.

HOG uses the toy run as a way to give back to the community, Olson said.

"It's our way of saying we're not all bad," he said. "The Harley reputation of the past is past."

Anyone is welcome to join in the toy run, he added. They don't even have to ride a Harley.

HOG not only provides gifts for the children, but for their siblings as well, said Tina Cubbage, chief executive officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters Great Falls.

Big Brothers Big Sisters serves almost 180 children in Great Falls.

About 100 of those participate in school based-mentoring, where a high school junior or senior is matched with a younger student and spends an hour a week tutoring them, Cubbage said. Another 48 children have mentors from the community. Thirty children are waiting to be matched with a big brother or sister.

Cubbage hopes to increase the number of children the organization serves. Ideally, it would be up to 1,000 in five years, but that's a lofty goal. Realistically, 10 percent growth each year is what the organization is striving for.

As long as there are children on the waiting list, the organization isn't big enough, she said, adding that the group doesn't turn away any children who are seeking a mentor.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking at partnering with the Boys and Girls Club, Alliance for Youth and with local churches to offer faith-based mentoring as a way to expand their volunteer base.

With their new location, Big Brothers Big Sisters is ready for growth.

They moved from an 800-square-foot office to an 1,800-square-foot space.

"I can't even tell you how tight we were up there," Cubbage said.

The new office, on Sixth Street North, includes a boardroom and an activity room with toys and games. There are also some extra offices that the organization will sublease until it grows large enough to need them.

A wheelchair accessible office allows children or mentors with disabilities to meet there, Cubbage said. Previously they were forced to meet elsewhere.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Great Falls is very fortunate to have the level of community involvement it does, she said.

Cubbage encourages anyone who is interested to apply to be a big brother or sister.

"It's not about spending money, it's about spending time," she said.

Most of the kids just need someone to give them one-on-one, undivided attention, she said.

The organization works to make good matches between the volunteers and the children.

In the best matches, the mentors just end up doing things with the children that they would do anyway, Cubbage said. Children can learn a lot from activities like baking, hunting or quilting.