Big Sister of the Year from Plymouth Uses Creativity and Fun to Make Time with Little Special

A local Plymouth resident has been chosen as our 2012 Big Sister of the Year. Monica Coulter has been building a close bond with her Little Sister, Taylor, since October of 2011, and she received this award in honor of the great spirit, energy and compassion she brings to the relationship.

Big Sisters worked with nearly 3,000 volunteer mentors last year, and out of all of them, Monica was named Big Sister of the Year because her service has really gone above and beyond expectations.

From sending postcards to having tea parties, Monica ensures that the time spent with Taylor is special.

"From the start, Monica has brought great spirit, energy and compassion to her match with Taylor," said Dean Pekarek, School-Based Match Coordinator at Big Brothers Big Sisters. "It's hard to quantify the gleam in Taylor's eyes or the excitement in her voice when she sees Monica for one of their visits."

Taylor admires Monica for being a hard worker. While spending time together, the two work on school work and do many activities together.

"I love seeing Monica because every time she comes we do something different," Taylor said. "Monica has had a positive impact on my life and I am so glad to have met her!"

As a Greater Twin Cities Big of the Year, Monica will be honored at the organization's Annual Gala on May 18, and at other events throughout the year. Her store will go before a state, then national committee where a National Big of the Year will be selected by The Marketing and Communications committee of the National Leadership Council (NLC), who will choose one Big Brother and one Big Sister to receive the 2012 National Big of the Year Award.

For over 90 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities has provided children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization serving 10 counties in the Twin Cities metro region, including Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties.

To learn more about how you can help, call 651-789-2400 or visit www.bigstwincities.org.