FORT WAYNE, IND. (April 19) -- A local man today received the national “Heroes In Our Midst” award for working to ensure that more than 200 elementary school children in the city’s downtown area have adult mentors to guide and provide them with positive role models.
John Peirce, a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Indiana and vice president of marketing at Indiana Stamp, was given a bronze Heroes In Our Midst medallion during an on-field pre-game presentation at the Fort Wayne Wizards game. In addition, program officials said $1,000 would be donated in Peirce’s name to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Indiana to support additional mentoring efforts in the community.
Heroes In Our Midst is a national recognition program of the Greeting Card Association. Each month the program honors everyday community heroes who give of themselves to connect with others and show they care, and encourages Americans to send cards to the heroes in their own lives. Since its launch last year, Heroes In Our Midst has generated thousands of cards for community and personal heroes.
Peirce first became interested in serving as a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor when his local Rotary Club decided to adopt Washington Elementary School in Fort Wayne’s downtown area for a Big Brother Big Sisters-sponsored Lunch Buddy program. More than 91 percent of the children at Washington Elementary receive free or reduced price lunches.
Peirce was matched with Devin, a lively ten-year-old third grader at Washington Elementary. He quickly became a positive and reliable role model for his “little brother” Devin, who was dealing with the recent divorce of his mother and stepfather.
Since then, Devin’s teacher has seen a noticeable change in the young boy’s behavior at school. “I just wish that John was able to sit right beside Devin everyday in class. He needs that extra attention and love that John is able to provide for him,” she explains. “When Devin knows John is coming, he is particularly attentive throughout the day, even after lunchtime.”
Washington Elementary School’s Principal, Linda Martin, was so impressed with the positive impact that Peirce and Rotary Club members had on the children participating in the Lunch Buddy program that she requested a Lunch Buddy mentor for every student in her school. Since then, Peirce has been instrumental recruiting more than 200 others in the community to fill this need.
“I really don’t consider myself a hero,” said Peirce. “It’s just that I believe so strongly that these children are in need of mentors. That’s why I’m going to do everything I can to make certain that each and every one of them has a mentor.”
During the awards presentation, Big Brothers Big Sisters and government representatives presented Peirce with greeting cards noting how appreciative they are of his volunteerism and community spirit. The organization hopes people throughout Fort Wayne and the surrounding areas will send a card to Peirce expressing their appreciation for the impact he is making in the community. Cards should be addressed to:
John Peirce
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Indiana
2439 Fairfield Ave.
Fort Wayne, IN 46807
“Heroes In Our Midst is all about the rewards of connecting to others and building human ties,” said Juliette Bogus, spokesperson for the program. “Greeting cards are also a cherished tradition for connecting and showing that you care about others. People everywhere have a special card story of how someone impacted their life or created a shared memory through a greeting card. We hope the people of Fort Wayne will not only send a card or note to John, but to the everyday heroes in their own lives”
To learn more about Heroes In Our Midst, visit www.HeroesInOurMidst.org.
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Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the U.S. It has been the leader in one-to-one youth service for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact of the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters serves 240,000 children, ages 6 through 18, in all 50 states. The national offices are located in Philadelphia. To volunteer or donate, visit www.bbbsa.org.
The Greeting Card Association, headquartered in Washington, DC, represents nearly 300 U.S. and international greeting card publishers and suppliers. It is dedicated to celebrating, promoting and preserving the tradition and cultural values of exchanging greeting cards.
