OKLAHOMA CITY & TULSA, OK (December 21, 2006) - An Oklahoma woman has been tapped for the national “Heroes In Our Midst” award for changing the life of a young Oklahoma girl. Heather Williams, an Oklahoma State University Alum and mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma, has served as a Big Sister to 10-year-old Antwanette Starks for the past seven years. She will be honored tonight during an on-court presentation at the O'Reilly All College Basketball Classic in downtown Oklahoma City. She was recognized yesterday in Tulsa during a special awards presentation and press conference at the Bank of Oklahoma.
Antwanette witnessed violence first-hand and had many obstacles to overcome as an awkward and shy 10-year-old living in a crime-ridden section of Tulsa. Williams decided to go above and beyond what is typically expected of a mentor and began a relationship with Antwanette's family to understand what the young girl’s daily life was like and to find ways to be a supportive role model.
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 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.
During the All College Basketball Classic tonight, Williams, Antwanette and a local Big Brothers Big Sisters representative joined Juliette Bogus on the court, as she presented Williams with a medallion greeting card. When Antwanette stepped to the mike, she pulled a card from her pocket and read from a greeting card she had brought for Williams, which said, “You are the best ‘Big Sister’ I could ever ask for, and you’ve always been there for me. You’re willing to listen to what I have to say and support me, no matter what…thank you.”
“We hope that in honoring Heather Williams 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.
“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.”
In recognition of her efforts, Williams receives a special medallion greeting card and ceremonial check for $1,000. The $1,000 check will be donated in Williams’s name to the local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency to support similar mentoring matches in the community. Heroes In Our Midst officials anticipate thousands of cards will be sent to Williams from the community, expressing their appreciation for her volunteer work.
“Being a Big Sister is more than just being a mentor in a child’s life,” said Williams. “I’m Antwanette’s friend, and I try to show her the value of compassion, dignity and respect.”
Antwanette, now 17, says she appreciates the love and support of her Big Sister over the last seven years. “Heather has been there for me in so many ways, especially recently, when she taught me to drive, and I passed my driving test,” said Antwanette.
Antwanette says she hopes that people from all over Oklahoma will send cards expressing their appreciation for her role model and Big Sister. Cards should be addressed to:
Heather Williams
3015 E Skelly Drive, Suite 211
Tulsa, OK 74105
To learn more about Heroes In Our Midst and its goal of encouraging America’s to connect through card-sending, 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.
