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BBBS of Gallatin County
15 South 8th Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59715
phone: 406-587-1216
[ email ]

Branch and Satellite Offices:

Big Sky Branch
45465 Gallatin Road
Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730
(406) 995-3411
[ email ]

Ennis
PO Box 57
Ennis, MT  59729
(406) 682-5681
[ email ]

Mark Bovingdon has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2003. He got involved because he enjoys volunteering his time, likes to help children and feels like he can make a difference. He has been a great Big Brother to three boys. He is now matched with Evan since July of 2006. The two of them have an excellent relationship. They consistently meet at least once a week and enjoy a variety of activities. Some of these activities include working on the organic garden at MSU, looking at hot rods, going to Bucks Baseball games, and biking.

Over this last summer Mark was in Great Falls and thought it would be a wonderful experience for Evan to fly over to Great Falls from Bozeman, so he set it up and offered to pay for the ticket. Mark took the time in advance to figure out what to do and where to go when Evan got there, to ensure Evan would have a great time. Mark gets Evan to donate his time to volunteering as well; they have participated in such things as making holiday cards for the elderly.

According to Evans mom, Mark gets Evan into things that he would not normally be into like the Opera, but at the same time makes sure that he is never bored. Evan’s mom states, “The match is always perfect, if we could clone him we would.” Mark is excellent at calling back for the monthly phone contacts that BBBS needs to insure the safety and consistency of the match. Mark has also donated his time to do repairs on the Big Brothers Big Sisters office on numerous occasions. Overall Mark is a great person and a true asset to Big Brothers Big Sisters and his Little Brother Evan.

Darla Frank has been voted Big Sister of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Gallatin County. Darla has been matched with her Little Sister Jurnee for almost five years and continues to be consistent with a once week schedule. Since the beginning of their match they have been working on a scrapbook so they can look back and see what they have completed and decide what still needs to be done. They also go jogging, to the parks, to dinner and participate in some of the match activities that BBBS have to offer. “Their tradition” as they call it, is to eat ice cream and play games. They have gone on great adventures such as a trip to Bannack where Jurnee shot her first gun and panned for red garnets.  Jurnee says this was her favorite adventure so far. Jurnee says Darla has made her life a fun-filled one and she is very glad she has met her. Darla hopes that Jurnee will be positively influenced by the time they spend together. They both look forward to many more adventures together!

Journee’s mother says that Darla has been a great idol for Jurnee. “They get together every week and always have a good time. I love that Darla teaches Jurnee so many different things and introduces her to different ways of spending their time together. I believe that Darla has been a GREAT influence on Jurnee and I am excited that even with Jurnee being a teenager she still enjoys hanging out with Darla. I hope they keep their friendship going for years and years to come.....Thanks Darla for everything you have done! You deserve Big Sister of The Year!”

Kathy Brown and Bob Wade have been chosen Big Couple of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Gallatin County. Kathy and Bob have been part of the mentoring program for the past eight years. Their first Little Brother moved out of the area, but despite the distance they remain in contact with him. They have been matched with current Little Brother Patrick for almost two and half years.

Little Brother Patrick’s mother was excited to hear that Kathy and Bob had been honored because of their dedication and enormous impact on his life, taking him to fun places and meeting with him consistently. At first Patrick was so shy that he didn’t want to do anything, but now he is up for new challenges. He and Bob recently hiked three miles up to Palisade Falls in the snow which surprised everyone. Patrick said he told himself, “I can do this” during the hike. Patrick also likes to hike to the “M” and scramble up and down the giant letter. He also likes the Drinking Horse Mountain trail.

Bob and Patrick have run races around town and will likely run more since Bob and Kathy are involved with the Big Sky Wind Drinkers running club. They have taken Patrick on a day-long trip to Virginia City where he loved riding the steam train. They also visited the Museum of the Rockies, Pioneer Museum, and the Children’s Museum. Patrick and Kathy also read together, but Patrick has come to enjoy being more active.

Kathy said that they enjoy giving directly to the community and feel that spending a couple of hours a week with a child means a lot to that child as well as to them. The couple also donates money to other Little Brothers and Sisters to help pay for athletic and uniform fees, musical necessities and other extracurricular fees that the child may not be able to afford.