NEWS ANCHOR PITCHES BIG BROTHER PROGRAM TO JACKSON ROTARY

KFVS-12 news anchor Dave Courvoisier has long been involved with neglected and disadvantaged children. Tuesday he brought his case for a Cape Girardeau County chapter of the national Big Brothers Big Sisters program before the Jackson Rotary Club.

Courvoisier, who returned to Cape Girardeau this year after being in Las Vegas 13 years, is in on the ground floor of organizing a local chapter of the national program. He urged the Rotary members and others in the Jackson community to support the program.

He believes there are many youngsters who would benefit from the program in the region and many adults who can be found to volunteer.

"We've already had over 1,000 single parents inquire," Courvoisier said. "We believe there is a deep well of giving here, though, that we can dig into."

One thing the fledgling organization will need is office space, as well as furniture, equipment and volunteer clerical help, to get off the ground.

Groundwork for a local chapter began in February. Courvoisier hopes to see it actually in operation by this fall. The new chapter must send $3,000, along with an application and serve as a probationary agency at first.

"Jackson is a real part of this," Courvoisier said. "It's not just a Cape Girardeau thing. The need exists everywhere in the county.

The program calls for a well-screened adult to spend about four or five hours a week with a selected child -- not as a father/mother, but in a big brother/sister roll.

"You wouldn't believe the turn-around when you find the right match," he said. "I've seen many troubled youngsters turn into productive young men.

"It works and it has great name recognition nationally." Courvoisier said. "It has great national backing."

Children ages 5-17 may be in the program. Courvoisier noted that many big brothers/sisters and their young friend stay close friends even after the official years of program eligibility ends.

Interestingly, he noted that while there is a big supply of boys seeking big brothers, the opposite is true for females. A number of willing adult volunteers are on hand, but fewer girls apply for the program.

"The hard thing is to find the right adult for the right little guy," he said.

Anyone interested in helping or in taking part in the program should call Courvoisier at 335-4254.