Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Pennsylvania set up at Montage Mountain for Sunday’s ‘Ski for the B Winter Snowcial.’ From left: Emilia Rosas; Zeynep Senyigit; Kristen Zigmont. Kevin Carroll | Times Leader
Kevin Carroll | Times Leader
Event raises funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters
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The ‘snowcial’ was held at Montage Mountain in Lackawanna County; Big Brothers Big Sisters recently expanded their organization’s coverage area into Lackawanna County.
Kevin Carroll | Times Leader
SCRANTON — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Pennsylvania welcomed members of their program as well as the general public to Montage Mountain on Sunday for the first annual “Ski For The B Winter Snowcial.”
“We wanted to bring people together and have a fun afternoon,” said Michelle Hamilton, the executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters. “We got a really great response, and we’re looking forward to a great turnout.”
The “snowcial” came about as a replacement idea for the program’s annual Game Night, which had to be scrapped this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“One of our board members actually came up with the idea,” said Kristen Zigmont from Big Brothers Big Sisters. “We hope it’ll turn into a new annual tradition.”
Essentially, attendees could come out to the mountain and spend a day skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing or just enjoying each other’s company and the picturesque views that Montage has to offer.
Around 60 people were expected on Sunday, according to Hamilton and Zigmont.
Masks were worn (most of the skiers and snowboarders would be wearing them anyway) and social distance was observed, as the outdoor setting made Sunday’s “snowcial” ideal for a safe gathering in the era of COVID-19.
In addition to hitting the slopes, attendees of the event were also invited to a meet-and-greet with Elsa, Anna and Olaf from the movie “Frozen” during a hot chocolate happiness hour gathered around a firepit.
Big Brothers Big Sisters has had a presence in Northeastern Pennsylvania since 1974, starting in Luzerne County and expanding outward from there.
The organization, geared toward providing mentorship and support to Northeastern Pennsylvania youths to help them realize their full potential, transitioned into an independently-run agency last year.
It covers eight counties total – Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Lycoming, Luzerne, Monroe, Montour and Wyoming.
Sunday’s event being held at a Lackawanna County site was no coincidence — the organization wanted to mark its recent expansion into the county.
“We’ve rebranded. We used to be Big Brother Big Sisters of the Bridge,” Hamilton said. “This was a good way to get our name out there and let people know what we do.”