[vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]The Angelitos Award—named in honor of our auxiliary fundraising group Angelitos de Oro—recognizes teen volunteers in Big Brothers Big Sisters for their dedication to the High School Bigs mentoring program.

The 2017 Angelitos Award recipients are:[/fwp-anim-text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”daisy”][vc_column width=”1/1″][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after” extra_class=””]
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Big Sister Daisy

Matched with Little Sister Julie[/fwp-anim-text][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]Daisy currently serves as co-president of the Big Brothers Big Sisters club at Valencia High School in Placentia and is a prospective student of California State University, Fullerton. In addition to volunteering as a mentor through High School Bigs, Daisy is a speaker through her school’s AVID program in order to inform and motivate other students and their parents about the importance of success in high school and college.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters has empowered her to be active in her community, be a positive role model and, most of all, be herself,” says Brenda Preciado, Big Brothers Big Sisters senior program specialist.

Prior to joining High School Bigs, Daisy was shy and very quiet. Growing up, she lived in a dangerous neighborhood, spent much of her time alone and didn’t receive the support she needed at home. She didn’t want any child to feel the same way she did and was inspired to be a Big Sister at the same elementary school she attended as a child.

“As a mentor, I like to always ask my Little about her week and show full enthusiasm towards what she has to say,” Daisy says. “I also encourage her to do her best in her school work and celebrate with her when she gets a good grade on an exam and encourage her when she receives a bad one. I want my Little to have a safe space to talk to me about anything: school, friendship, sibling problems or future plans.

“Being a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program has enabled me to share my story and become a role model to students in order to show that there is always a possibility of achieving success.”

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[/fwp-anim-text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=”” css=”.vc_custom_1484781574515{background-color: #e0e0e0 !important;}” el_id=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after” extra_class=””]

Big Brother Sergio

Matched with Little Brother Jaime [/fwp-anim-text][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]Growing up, Sergio often took care of himself. He didn’t feel like he belonged in his family and thought he was a bother to everyone. When his sister was born, he took on more responsibility in the household by taking care of her, too. Through his experience, however, he realized his passion for helping others.

He was recommended to Big Brothers Big Sisters High School Bigs program and was instantly hooked. Like Sergio, his new Little Brother Jaime was the only boy in the family. Neither of them knew how to interact with each other at first, but over time, their friendship developed. Jaime began to trust Sergio and confided in him that he was bullied and didn’t have many friends. Sergio taught Jaime how to handle the situation and continues to be there for him as a friend.

“Jaime knows that he can always tell me anything,” Sergio says. “He sees me as a big role model, friend and Big Brother who will always be there for him no matter what.”

“Every week, Sergio comes to site and makes sure to put a smile on Jaime’s face,” says Adi Soto, Big Brothers Big Sisters program specialist. “Sergio has always been supportive of his Little and has always made him feel big—not by his height but by his heart.”

This fall, Sergio will be attending San Francisco State University, where he will be majoring in civil engineering.[/fwp-anim-text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center” style=”” border_width=”” el_width=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=”” el_id=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]Since its founding in 1961, Angelitos de Oro has donated nearly $6 million to the organization and is a major supporter of the High School Bigs program. Its major fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters is the annual sale of the Angelitos Card, which offers shoppers an exclusive 20 percent savings for one week at select stores and restaurants at South Coast Plaza.

Save the date for Angelitos Card Week 2017, taking place Oct. 4-10 at South Coast Plaza. Cards go on sale in August at angelitosdeoro.org[/fwp-anim-text][/vc_column][/vc_row]