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His advice to future mentors? “Get to know the child’s background first, let him tell you about himself and where he is in life. Get to know him on his level first. That way, you can communicate, and he’ll trust you more. We have a big problem with drugs in our society as well as other destructive influences. Your main goal should be to help raise a child to be a contributing citizen to society," Taylor said.

Darryl Hicks is on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers/Big Sisters and is an employee of AGL Resources. “We are a major corporation in the city of Atlanta, and it’s easy to think about the bottom line and the profits, but it’s so important that we give back as employees in a meaningful way. This organization allows us to do that with the next generation. We’re just excited to be apart of that and have a meaningful legacy, the ability to touch the lives of those who come after us.”

BB/BS Board Member Darryl Hicks said, “It does take a village to raise a child.”

Because our society has many homes where both parents work, many children who have parents also need mentoring. It is important that all children have mentors so our communities will have a stable foundation. “It takes a village to raise a child,” Hicks said. “It involves more than just one person, and kids are motivated by people other than their parents. There’s peer pressure, and it’s so important for our kids to see not just their parents, but many adults teaching them about morality. Mentoring allows that to happen, to go beyond the family structure.”

Co-hosts Tiffany Cochran and Walt Maciborski

Award presenters Fani, Santiago, and Brian share photo op with Tomi Johnson. Brian said he was loading up on flowers not for himself, but because “I have a mother and grandmother waiting for me at home.”

The events co-hosts were Tiffany Cochran and Walt Maciborski. Featured soloist was Dan Gardner, the winner of NBC Today Show’s “Today’s Superstar” who sang his hit single “More Than Life.” An award was give posthumously to V. Thomas Murray, Sr. (1923-2003) the founder of BB/BS of Metro Atlanta and was accepted by his son, “Chip” Murray. “Your dad had a vision with staying power,” said co-host Maciborski.


Janice McKenzie-Crayton, BB/BS Pres. & CEO	“Chip” Murray received award for father V. Thomas Murray from Mark Tipton. “My father seemed to be everywhere at once and never missed my sporting events. I don't want his memory to die. He loved to laugh,” Murray said.

This event raised more than $350,000 with 500 people representing 65 different companies attending the elegant evening. There were 76 private auction donations. Next year will be the Atlanta organization's 10th anniversary. To learn more about becoming a BB/BS volunteer, go to: http://bbbsatl.org/AboutUs/AboutUs.asp

Some of the auctioned items included a UPS jacket worn by Albert Wright that brought in a $1300 donation; an oil masterpiece painted during the event, and sports jerseys.

The information in this article is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous.