On May 13th, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley hosted our annual Big Stories event at Steel Stacks in Bethlehem. This celebration recognized the power of mentorship and the impact it has on Littles, Bigs and our community. We honored our Match of the Year, Littles of the Year, and more!
MATCH OF THE YEAR: Little PJ & Big Murdocc
Carmen, PJ’s mother nominated Little PJ & Big Murdocc for Match of the year. She had this to say:
“Murdocc has been great with PJ since the beginning and has helped him through some tough times in school and also in life. He helped him stay focused on school and his sports… PJ is very focused with school and his football, and has letters from University’s wanting him to visit their campus. I am very happy and grateful to have Murdocc in my son’s life and our family because he is a member of our family.”
When accepting the award, PJ said that he would not be where he is today if it were not for Murdocc. He added: “I’ve always known this match was really special, everything we’ve done together and been through together. I don’t think anything can top that.”
When talking about PJ, Murdocc shared that their love of food – especially spicy food – is one of the things they have done together over the years. Murdocc said that it is often the simple things – like sharing a meal or a conversation that have the most impact. A moment that is forever in Murdocc’s memory is the first time he told PJ that he loved him – which he admitted was a bit of a slip – that though he felt that way he knew that it could lead to an awkward moment. PJ quickly responded “I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
LITTLES OF THE YEAR
Little Benjamin is our High School Bigs Program Little of the Year, nominated by his Big Sister Paige, with whom he has been matched since the 2023-2024 school year. Here is an excerpt from Paige’s nomination:
“My Little is definitely the person to go to for a good laugh. He is a little body full of lots of energy, always excited to see me for our weekly visits. He never fails to make me laugh, he is kind and is always open to asking questions or learning new things. I definitely have seen both academic and social achievements of him and I know this is just the beginning, I see a bright future for him. I am beyond happy that I got to be Ben’s Big, he made it such an unforgettable experience, and I wish the best for his bright future.”
Little Anylah is our Community Based Program Little of the Year, nominated by her Big Sister Leah. Here is an excerpt from Leah’s nomination:
“Anylah has been such a blessing in my life. She is the most thoughtful person I have met in my life and she always wants to make people feel good. I couldn’t have had a better match. As much as I know I’ve made an impact in her life, she’s made a huge impact in mine. She’s incredibly kind, compassionate and thoughtful. She’s always looking for ways to make other people feel good by complimenting them. Anylah is very creative when it comes to expressing herself and showing appreciation and kindness to others. I definitely feel she has a bright future ahead of her that involves helping people.”
MENTORING CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
The Mentoring Champion Award honors individuals who go above and beyond to support and elevate the cause of mentoring. These champions recognize the life-changing impact of mentorship and work tirelessly to create opportunities, provide resources, and advocate for programs that connect mentors with those who need guidance and encouragement. Their dedication is essential because strong mentorship helps build confidence, close opportunity gaps, and create lasting positive change in communities. Without their support, many mentoring relationships would not be possible or as effective.
This year BBBSLV recognized “The Gutter Gals (and Guys)” as our 2025 Mentoring Champions.
The Gutter Gals formed in 2021 when Big Sister Veronica Moser was inspired by her mentorship with Little Yermainy to support Bowl For Kids’ Sake. Since 2021, Veronica has enlisted the support of her friends and family and led the charge to raise over $20,000. She also inspired fellow “Gutter Gal” Lisa Rinnovatore to become a Big Sister.
Their dedication is truly making a lasting impact—they are champions of mentorship and hope.
BBBSLV Team Member of the Year
Our Team Member of the Year award highlights the dedication, compassion, perseverance, and “behind the scenes” work of the staff at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley.
This year, Mia Kline was recognized as our Team Member of the Year. Mia has been a valued member of our team for nearly four years. She previously interned with us and is also a former Little Sister, making her a long-standing and deeply connected member of our community. She serves as a Program Specialist for both our Community Mentoring Program and our High School Bigs Mentoring Program. In this role, Mia provides crucial support to mentoring matches, helping them navigate challenges to ensure a positive and enriching experience. Her work plays a vital role in fostering the kind of meaningful, long-term relationships that lead to strong developmental outcomes for our Littles.