Donations provide 200 children with shoes

More than 200 children, including some from Lynn, part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay were provided with shoes by two local footwear companies, New Balance and Planet Shoes, at the organization?s fifth annual family picnic in Jamaica Plain.With more than 1,800 youth served in the Massachusetts Bay area, Big Brothers Big Sisters is committed to matching children with adult role models to ensure their healthy development and success in life. It?s the second time that the organization has received donations from Boston-based New Balance and Planet Shoes.?We are so grateful to New Balance and Planet Shoes for their generous support of our littles and the agency,” said Nora Leary, vice president of program services. “Their support not only let our children have new shoes for back to school but will help us reach more companies and colleges to recruit much-needed volunteers.”According to Big Brothers Big Sisters, more than 800 boys are still waiting to have a Big Brother, and the organization is in need of more male mentors in Boston area to step up and volunteer.Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay is at 75 Federal St., 8th floor, Boston, and is open for volunteering requests from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.For more information, call Big Brothers Big Sisters at 617-543-9090 or visit the website at bbbsmb.org.