FOND DU LAC – SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac has donated $10,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County to support its Bigs and Littles program and $5,000 to the Family Resource Center of Fond du Lac County to support the services they offer to families and children.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non-profit agency that matches children with adults who help by simply being their friends. The program increases the youth’s well-being and success at school while decreasing their tendency to engage in risky behaviors.

According to a news release, research shows children with a mentor are less likely to use illegal drugs or alcohol or skip school and are more confident in themselves.

For more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County, contact 920-922-8200 or bbbsfdl.org.

The Family Resource Center of Fond du Lac County Inc. offers a variety of services and programs that aid in the healthy development of children and families. Some of the services include providing families with aid to meet basic needs — at no cost — and access to free parenting classes and mental health services.

For more at the Family Resource Center of Fond du Lac County, call 920-923-4110 or visit fdlfrc.org.

Welcome to your weekly dose.

Here is more news from throughout Fond du Lac County in your weekly dose.

▶ Presentation takes a look at environmental issues: Jerry Apps and Natasha Kassulke, authors of “Planting an Idea: Creative and Critical Thinking About Environmental Issues,” will give a presentation at 6 pm June 22 at the Fond du Lac Public Library.

The authors will discuss how to use facts to get at the truth of environmental issues.

The book is designed to help the reader examine and develop their own opinion on a variety of environmental issues based on facts, not emotion.

Participants can view the Zoom broadcast in the library or on their own. The presentation will be in the McLane Room at 32 Sheboygan St.

To register, visit fdlpl.org. Registration will close when the program is full.

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▶ Red Cross seeks help replenishing blood and platelet supply: With blood donations down last month, the American Red Cross is looking to replenish its blood supply. Platelet donors are also needed.

Opportunities to donate remaining in June include:

• June 27, 12:30 to 5:30 pm, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church ELCA, 430 Griswold St., Ripon; and

• June 29, noon to 5 pm, at Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, 625 W. Rolling Meadows Drive, Fond du Lac.

Donors must provide identification in the form of a blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification. Individuals must be 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health to donate blood.

For more information or to make an appointment, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-733-2767.

▶ Ben Wagner celebrates 25 years with National Exchange Bank: Ben Wagner marked 25 years of service at National Exchange Bank & Trust May 26.

Wagner joined the bank in 1998. He has held many positions within the IT department and is currently a manager, responsible for leading the information technology operations staff and supervising the management of computer systems.

Wagner holds a degree in computer programming and systems analysis from Moraine Park Technical College.

Additionally, he holds certificates of achievement for VMware Datacenter Virtualization and Microsoft Solutions Associate from New Horizons.

For more information, visit nebat.com.

▶ Ledgevest Financial announces new financial adviser: James Taylor has joined Ledgevest Financial as a financial adviser.

Taylor previously worked as a physical therapist and used his knowledge and abilities to help patients achieve the best outcome possible. He now uses those same abilities to help clients find the best financial path forward.

Read last week’s top 3 stories:

1. Shootings: Teens charged in May 23 Fond du Lac shooting that was suspected of retaliation for May 7 fatal shooting

2. Juneteenth: Celebrate Juneteenth with Ebony Vision June 17 with live entertainment, games and new soul food contest

3. Playground inclusive: Fond du Lac, how you can help earn $10K for an inclusive playground at Rosenow Elementary, and more news in weekly doses

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Contact Mara Wegner at [email protected] or 920-996-7241.

This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Fond du Lac Big Brothers Big Sisters gets funding from SSM Health