NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE (November 16, 2006) - A retired schoolteacher has been tapped for the national “Heroes In Our Midst” award for giving her time and compassion to guide and mentor a Nashville girl through a difficult time in her young life. Shirley Fincannon, a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, received the special award today at the Nashville Predator’s National Hockey League game.
Heroes In Our Midst is a national recognition program of the Greeting Card Association. The program, which recognizes one Hero In Our Midst each month from around the country, reinforces the tradition of connecting with others through card-sending and encourages Americans everywhere to send cards to the heroes in their own lives to show them someone cares. Since its launch in January, Heroes In Our Midst has helped to generate thousands of cards for community and personal heroes.
“This program is all about the rewards of connecting to others and building human ties. We believe exchanging greeting cards is one of America’s most cherished traditions for showing that you care about others,” said Juliette Bogus, Heroes In Our Midst spokesperson. “Americans everywhere have a special card story of how someone impacted their life or created a lasting bond or shared memory through a greeting card.”
We hope that in honoring Shirley Fincannon for her mentoring role as a Big Sister and making a difference in someone’s life, others will be inspired to make special connections with the heroes in their own lives,” Bogus added.
Fincannon received a special medallion greeting card and ceremonial check for $1,000. Heroes In Our Midst officials anticipate hundreds of cards will be sent to Fincannon from the community, expressing their appreciation for her volunteer work. The $1,000 check will be donated in Fincannon’s name to the local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency to support similar mentoring matches in the community.
After Fincannon accepted the Heroes In Our Midst award, her “Little Sister” Dwanna presented Fincannon with a greeting card stating, “You have been a good friend to me and have been there emotionally for me, and I really appreciate all you do.”
“Becoming a big has really enhanced my life in so many ways,” said Fincannon. “I believe that anyone can make a difference if they put their mind to it, and every person should take the time to connect with someone special in their life. I send cards all the time to stay in touch and show those who mean a lot to me, that I care.”
Dwanna has been paired with Fincannon for the past five years and has experienced the death of both parents before the age of seven. Just months after the death of Dwanna’s father, her grandmother enrolled her in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, and she was matched with Fincannon.
Dwanna, now 12, attributes her love for education and learning to her Big Sister and appreciates her support and love over the last five years. “Miss Shirley has been there for me both as a friend and emotionally, and I’m really grateful to have her in my life,” said Dwanna. Fincannon often send cards to her Little Sister to show her that she cares.
Dwanna says she hopes that people from all over Tennessee will send thousands of cards expressing their appreciation for her role model and Big Sister. Cards should be addressed to:
Shirley Fincannon
One Vantage Way, Suite C250
Nashville, TN 37228
To learn more about Heroes In Our Midst and its goal of encouraging America’s to connect through card-sending, visit www.HeroesInOurMidst.org.
________________________________
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.
