Radiance Technologies proudly supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Alabama. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Vision is for all children to achieve success in life. Last year, Big Brothers Big Sisters provided mentorship relationships with more than 280 children across North Alabama. Radiance not only provides financial support, but through our employee-owners we take on mentorship responsibilities, direction, and other forms of support to their mission.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alabama Honoring Our Mentors (HOM) Gala was held on Thursday, Jan. 28th, at the EarlyWorks Museum Complex. There were two Radiance employees recognized at the gala for their outstanding work and dedication to the program and the community, Tim Lyon and Rick Mentzer. Tim was recognized for his community service as a volunteer fireman, and Rick for his volunteer IT support to BBBSNA and to Kids to Love.
“The HOM Gala is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Alabama, and this one may be our most successful to date. The final numbers aren’t in, but hopes are high,” said Jerry Skievaski, Radiance employee representative serving on the BBBSNA Board of Directors.
“Much of the feedback from those in attendance stated they were very impressed and moved by the stories highlighting the impact of mentors, particularly that of the Special Guest Speaker, Liz Huntley,” said Jerry.
Serving as fireman, then as Chief of Toney Fire Department, and now as Captain Training Instructor with the Monrovia Fire Department, Tim Lyon has the very life of his men on the line and the lives of those he seeks to rescue. Tim has been a volunteer firefighter for more than 18 years. Heand his department participate in community service projects supporting schools and promoting safety. His mentoring instructions and character development activities have lifesaving impacts.
“Recently we had one of the ‘bigs’ visit our FD station with his little. I was honored to show him around the Fire Station explaining what it is that firefighters do,” said Tim Lyon, Director of Information at Radiance.
“His ‘little’ said when he grew up he wanted to be a Firefighter. Doing so gave me the opportunity to explain to him that doing well in school and following his dreams he could very well become a firefighter if he set his mind to it.,” said Tim.
Rick Mentzer put his IT expertise to work with Big Brother Big Sisters and Kids to Love, another organization Radiance supports. Rick assessed, ordered, and emplaced the network backbone at both facilities. He built more than 32 computer workstations in the programs and is also on-call to repair and troubleshoot the systems. Rick helped enable them to reach a community with their message, vision, and caring hand. Rick mentoring his “little brother” shows that he believes in the mission to mentor the next generation.
“They have provided a venue for me to give back to the community, and I am fortunate to have Quay as my ‘little’ brother,” said Rick Mentzer, Systems/Network Administrator for Radiance. “Mentoring Quay and watching the light bulb go off in his head is like an immediate return, and you see the impact you are making in their lives,” said Rick.
We are so proud to have two amazing employees here at Radiance who devote so much of their free time to volunteering and serving the community. They are impacting and changing lives with their service. If you are interested in volunteering with Kids to Love or becoming a “big brother” or “big sister”, please email Jerry Skievaski, jerry.skievaski@radiancetech.com.