THICKER THAN WATER BIG BROTHERS AND SISTERS SHARE SPECIAL BOND BEYOND BLOOD.Byline: Sandra sandra (sänˑ·dr  ),adj J. Terrell Staff Writer CAMARILLO Camarillo (kă'mərē`yō), city (1990 pop. 52,303), Ventura co., S Calif.; inc. 1964. It is the center of a fertile farm area where citrus fruits and flowers are grown. - When John Hodak's son began spending more time with his friends and less time camping and fishing with his dad, Hodak decided to become a Big Brother to another lucky youngster. Now, Hodak spends more than the required four hours a week doing the things he loves, and his Little Brother benefits by going camping and fishing with a role model. ``I've been in the (Big Brothers/Big Sisters) program for 14 or 15 years now. I think it's an excellent program,'' said Hodak, who lives in Agoura Hills. ``This program tries to match kids with (Big Brothers who have) similar likes and dislikes. That makes it easy. I can still do things I would do with my son.'' Hodak has two Little Brothers, whom he often takes on outings together. Jared, 16, recently moved to the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. with his family and Nick, 10, has been Hodak's Little Brother for about 18 months. ``We like to go to the movies, go camping and fishing,'' Nick said. We're going camping this Saturday.'' For the past 18 months, Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. resident Diana Skrah and her 14- year-old Little Sister, Tiffani, meet at least once a week, going hiking hiking Walking, often among hills or mountains, as recreational sport. It represents an activity in its own right and also figures in backpacking, camping, hunting, mountaineering, and orienteering. , shopping or just talking with one another. ``My family and friends all tell me how being a Big Sister has profoundly affected my life,'' Skrah said. ``My relationship with my Little Sister has helped me understand the priorities in life, like taking a break from my busy workday and giving her a call.'' The Big Brothers/Big Sisters program matches adult volunteers from the community with children, based on the geographic area, personality and common interests, said case manager Rhiannon Nelson. ``Once a match is made between the child and adult, we have professional staff (to) help them through it. We're on call 24 hours a day.'' ``We have about 70 children on the waiting list. Some have waited for more than a year. We are always in need of volunteers,'' Nelson said. ``The program has a lot to offer. Our volunteers get as much out of being part of the program as they give to a child.'' Another important issue is commitment. ``All of our children come to us with abandonment issues, through loss of a parent or divorce,'' Nelson said. ``They need a consistent adult in their lives who will honor As a verb, to accept a bill of exchange, or to pay a note, check, or accepted bill, at maturity. To pay or to accept and pay, or, where a credit so engages, to purchase or discount a draft complying with the terms of the draft. their commitments. We have a thorough screening, so that parents will not worry about putting them in the program.'' The Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, which operates without state or federal funds Federal Funds Funds deposited to regional Federal Reserve Banks by commercial banks, including funds in excess of reserve requirements. Notes: These non-interest bearing deposits are lent out at the Fed funds rate to other banks unable to meet overnight reserve , is financed through fund-raisers, such as the yearly Corey Pavin Corey Allen Pavin (born November 16, 1959) is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour. Pavin was born in Oxnard, California. He attended UCLA and turned professional in 1982. Celebrity Golf Tournament held in the spring and the Holiday Card Campaign, which is running now through Dec. 15. A special Big Brothers/Big Sisters Orientation is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 11 at 1305 Del Norte Del Norte can refer to multiple things:
CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- 2) Big Brother John Hodak, above right, spends more than the required four hours a week taking his Little Brother Nick Cwayna, above left, camping and fishing. At left, Big Sister Diana Skrah, top left, and Big Sister Arlene Spratt, bottom left, spend their time hiking and shopping with Little Sisters Tiffani, top right, and her real sister Melanie. |
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