We’re all coaches helping someone. Your job just might not be as visible as mine.’

New Detroit Lions’ coach Jim Caldwell headlines 37^th Annual Benefit Dinner

Each year, more than 650 Big Brothers Big Sisters’ supporters gather in one room for the Annual Benefit Dinner. This one event raises about one-third of the agency’s yearly budget, making it not only the largest fundraising event in southwest Michigan but the most important event the agency holds each year.

“Our Annual Benefit Dinner helps make it possible for us to achieve our mission of providing children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever,” says Amy Kuchta, chief executive officer.

This year’s Annual Benefit Dinner was held on June 5 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo and featured new Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell as the guest speaker.

Caldwell held the crowd’s attention with an inspirational speech about mentoring and leadership. “We’re all coaches helping someone,” Caldwell says. “Your job just might not be as visible as mine.”

In addition to Caldwell’s speech, Big Brothers Big Sisters Annual Benefit Dinner committee honored Terry Dorgan with the MVP Award for his dedicated support of the agency. Dorgan is a Big Brother through Huntington Bank’s Bigs in Business program, a member of the agency’s board of directors and a member of the Benefit Dinner committee.

“The Benefit Dinner – and quite frankly, the agency – is so successful year after year due to the efforts of many people,” Kuchta says. “We are grateful to all of the agency’s supporters such as the Benefit Dinner Committee, our corporate sponsors, individual supporters, and volunteers who all contribute their time, talent and resources. This support means that during 2014, more than 1,200 local children will be a part of a Big Brothers Big Sisters’ match that will help them succeed in life.”