Big Brothers Big Sisters, along with the Professional Communications class from Northwestern Michigan College (NMC), is hosting a “Thankful Breakfast” at the Hagerty Center on Thursday, October 25. The event is open to the public, with a focus on attracting local businesses or organizations that might be willing to partner with NMC’s Professional Communications class in the future.
 
Students of the Professional Communications course work together to host the Big Little Hero Race, an annual superhero-themed 5K, 10K, and one-mile fun run that takes place at the NMC campus each spring. One-hundred percent of the proceeds from the race are donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Throughout the semester, Professional Communications students reach out to local businesses to collect sponsorships, raffle items, or other donations for the race. Each student is assigned one local business and then hones his or her communication skills by interacting with that business.
 
According to Kristy McDonald, the NMC professor who came up with the course’s concept, the benefits of the program are multi-faceted. Students get experience in writing persuasive letters, crafting follow-up emails, and making professional phone calls. Businesses chip in by engaging with the students and providing feedback on their communications. The students also organize the Big Little Hero Race, from writing the press releases to planning the event itself. In its first four years, the race has raised more than $80,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
 
At its recent Annual Donor Dinner, Big Brothers Big Sisters awarded McDonald with the “Big Difference” award, which goes to an individual who has had a “critical impact” on the organization’s mission. McDonald says the award belongs to her students, who have done most of the legwork to turn the Big Little Hero Race into a major fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
 
Over the years, McDonald says the Professional Communications class has grown more popular, demanding the participation of additional businesses to make the experience worthwhile for students. The Thankful Breakfast on October 25 is meant both to thank businesses that have worked with students in the past and to get other businesses involved for the first time. McDonald says she needs about 12 more business partners for this year.
 
Those interested in attending The Thankful Breakfast can call Big Brothers Big Sisters at 231-946-2447 x219.