Charity to Get $1 Million Boost

March 16, 2012

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana announced today a $1 million personal donation from Charlie Brown, philanthropist and Executive Vice President, Southern Bells, Inc. Brown will present the check to Big Brothers Big Sisters during a special event at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 19, at the Legacy Center, 725 N. Oriental Ave. Volunteers and youth in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program will join Brown for a taco cooking class prior to the check presentation.

This is the largest gift given by an individual to the organization. Brown is the co-owner of one of the largest Taco Bell franchises in the nation with 75 restaurants in 3 states. He is a long-time board member and former board president of Big Brothers Big Sisters. This gift will be used to help the organization with its mission to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

“I want to make a difference in a kid’s life; that’s where we can be most impactful and that’s where I think we need help,” said Brown. “The kids are the future. We need to give them opportunities that they wouldn’t have otherwise. I see this being done by Big Brothers Big Sisters. I have complete confidence in the agency and have every bit of faith that they will strategically invest this gift so that it has an even greater impact in the lives of today’s youth.”

"An investment of this size is inspiring. It’s a true testament to Charlie’s commitment to youth and belief in the impact of Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring," said Darcey Palmer-Shultz, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. “We’re so grateful to Charlie, and we’re thrilled at the opportunity to make sure more girls and boys have mentors who believe in them and inspire them to achieve their potential.”

For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 8 through 18, in communities across the country. Big Brothers Big Sisters develops positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.