2009-09-29 20:50:01 -

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami (BBBS), the premier mentoring organization of South Florida, today named Eugenia “Gina” Capaz, senior vice president Business Analytics & Consumer Insight at Bacardi U.S.A., Inc., as its “Board Member of the Year.” The honor recognizes the numerous contributions Ms. Capaz has made to the local organization during her tenure on the board of directors.

“The leadership team at our organization is incredibly grateful to Gina for her time and efforts spent in developing special programs and events to benefit our kids,” said Lydia Muñiz, chief executive officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami. “Her generous spirit and natural leadership skills made her instrumental to our success over the past challenging year and

we are lucky to have her share her time and talent with us.”


Ms. Capaz chairs the BBBS strategic planning committee and has been integral in helping map out the direction of the organization for the next five years. Not only does she contribute personally as a Visionary Donor, but she also brought on generous support of her employer, Bacardi U.S.A., Inc., a company with a family of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the United States. Bacardi recently hosted the BBBS Black Men's Advisory Council meeting and 12 additional Bacardi USA employees also serve as mentors.

“Now more than ever, it is important to keep in mind the mission of organizations such as BBBS, and give a piece of ourselves to support the community and its next generation,” added Muñiz.

Most volunteer and donor organizations have experienced a lull in recent years, with BBBS being no exception. There has never been a need for mentors as there is now, with a waiting list of more than 1,000 young people looking to partner up. Funding is also necessary to facilitate the Big/Little matches, ensure child safety and sustain successful relationships with positive outcomes. Increased donations of all sizes will help BBBS serve more children and attract volunteers who are willing to serve them.

Ways to become involved with BBBS include.

- Donating to the organization--for $1,500, you can sponsor a match
- Volunteering to mentor a child
- Involving your workplace in BBBS’s mentoring School to Work program


Locally, Big Brothers Big Sisters served over 2,000 children and adults in 2008. To learn more about donating or volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami, visit www.wementor.org : .



About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest and largest donor-supported youth mentoring organization in the United States. BBBS of Greater Miami, founded in 1958, is one of the largest local agencies in the country, serving more than 7,000 local children, volunteers and families through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with caring adult volunteers. A study conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters finds adults mentored as children through Big Brothers Big Sisters are more likely than peers with similar backgrounds but who were not involved in the program to have a four year college degree, incomes of $75,000 or greater and strong relationships with their spouses, children and friends. For information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami, visit www.wementor.org : or call (305) 644-0066.

Want to join our cause? Search Big Brothers Big Sister of Greater Miami on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at BBBSMIAMI.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater MiamiLaurie Gunn, 305-644-0066
ext. 238 Lgunn@bbbsmiami.org : mailto:Lgunn@bbbsmiami.org