With those vibrant words, Executive Director Natalie Costanzo, opened what was a record-setting evening—the 19th annual Talbot Mentors dinner celebration on November 2, 2016 at The Milestone. There were an unprecented 232 people in attendance—mentors, mentees and members of their familiies. “We’re bursting at the seams, and we love it!” said Costanzo, who continued by thanking the mentors who step up to the plate to help improve the lives of local kids.
Talbot Mentors is based on one-on-one interactions between mentor and mentee. To have so many in the program in one room spoke to the scope of Talbot Mentors and made all in attendance feel part of a very special—and growing—family. Celebrated that night were 85 mentor/mentee pairs.
The event provided an opportunity for the organization to recognize the life-changing contributions of its volunteer mentors, who give their time in friendship to a child, building relationships that benefit not only the children, but their families, the mentors themselves, and the community as a whole.
Costanzo spotlighted some of the year’s successes: “Forty seven scholarships were given out to kids to attend a Summer Camp of their choice, up from 19 scholarships the year before. We renovated the Talbot Mentors Office space for the mentors and mentees. And we provided over 50 activities for mentors/mentees to enjoy throughout the year,” she said.
Adults sat at the dinner tables, talking about the joys and challenges of mentoring. Kids jumped up from the tables to play together and have their pictures taken—funny glasses and silly hats optional!. But the room went silent when local singer-songwriter Kat Parsons accompanied mentee Taylan Wilson as she sang a stirring rendition of “At Last.”
All mentor/mentee pairs were acknowledged. A special shout-out—and certificates—were offered for five-year- matches. Jamesha Ross and Mary Meiser, Javion Emory and Miguel Dennis, Jordan Williams and Colin Meiser, and Darius Sarvis and Bob Coleman were recognized..
The evening closed with a lively video featuring mentors and mentees. As the kids recognized themselves up on the screen, the power of Talbot Mentors was spotlighted. Mentors and mentees, moving toward enriched lives, courtesy of powerful friendships and caring.
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For more information, to make a contribution or to volunteer as a mentor, call Talbot Mentors at 410-770-5999 or visit www.talbot mentors.org.
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