Greg Stanton Named 2003 Arizona Big Brother of the Year

May 12, 2003

Phoenix's Vice-Mayor, Greg Stanton, was chosen as the 2003 Big Brother of the Year for the state of Arizona. The decision was made by a committee made up of members from all eight Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) agencies in Arizona.

Stanton was named BBBS of Central Arizona's 2002 Community Based Big Brother of the Year in October 2002 and was then submitted by the agency for Arizona's Big Brother of the Year. Stanton will now be considered for the 2003 National Big Brother of the Year award, which will be awarded in June at the 2003 National Conference in Nashville, TN.

As Vice Mayor of Phoenix, Stanton has served on the city council in one of Phoenix's most diverse districts for the past three years. He serves on various committees and boards, including BBBS of Central Arizona. However, even with an agenda like that, Stanton's most important commitment is his standing Sunday night basketball game with Little Brother Desmond.

He and Desmond have been matched in the BBBS program since 1995. Though their lives have changed since they first met, their commitment to each other has not. Stanton has emphasized the importance of education to Desmond and has shared his knowledge of law and politics, with Desmond occasionally accompanying him on the campaign trail. He has instilled the spirit of volunteering in Desmond and they have volunteered together to help less fortunate children. As far as Stanton and Desmond are concerned, they are family.

For more information about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, please contact BBBS at 602-264-BIGS or visit their website at www.bbbsaz.org.

Media Contact:

Andrea Petrof

602-393-4139