Teens and young adults
Your eyes aren't tricking you.. yes.. those darlings in the snow are our newest members of ASB! Young men from Juniper Elementary School are now being mentored by wonderful teens from Bend, Marshall and Mt. View High Schools weekly. Week one found them in a serious snowball fight across the street - I am pretty sure that the Little Buddies one the first battle. But we have only just begun!!! (smile...)We also have a great new program for girls from Juniper School too. Teen girls from both Bend, Summit and Marshall High Schools are helping our newest Little Buddies to improve their academic skills while learning to become the best that they can be.
I am not sure who is having more fun with this program.. the students or the leaders???
The concept of fund raising is never my favorite but at least this one had the operative word "FUN" including. Our friends from The Cause, the non-profit that does the administration of ASB, brought lots of beautiful crafts and creations to sell along with our friend Donna Safley who helped us by demonstrating her Discover Toys. It does take $$ to provide snacks and craft supplies to our almost 90 participants attending After School Buddies in 2008 so this is one way to add to 
our account...
Buddies love to bless others... and bless we did! In December some of our teens gathered at the Inn of the 7th Mt. for an overnight retreat and to plan for the new year of ASB. At the same time our Big Buddies tested their creativity with ribbons, bows, glue guns and more decorating Christmas trees and wreaths and skillfully crafting tree ornaments. Hopefully the families at Hospice House of Bend and High Desert Assisted Living felt our love and compassion when they received our gifts.