Plans are underway to honor and celebrate with the Founding Father(s), directors, and board members, who worked together to bring the  Big Brothers Big Sisters Program to Hereford.    Rodney Laubhan, a former school principal, in Hereford, was concerned about the children in his school, and in the community who came from single-parent homes.  Mr. Laubhan conducted a survey to see how many children were from single-parent homes and was surprised of the number of children who lived in single-parent homes.   He had heard about Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America, a community youth service program who served youth ages 5-17 from single-parent homes.  They provided role models for children and used a “one -to-one” concept of providing (one adult volunteer to one child)  concept of providing companionship and friendship to children during their most formative years.  He talked to a few of his friends and tossed the idea around and called the Amarillo Agency to see what he needed to do to get an agency in Hereford.  He formed a team consisting of  R.C. Hoelscher, and Wanda Hoover  to support him in his efforts. They called a meeting of school and  community people for support.  Agency requested and received funding from United Way to support a part-time director and small office at the Jim Hill Hotel.  A newly created board,   hired  JoAnn Dwyer, as their first director,  who officially began her tenure  on January 1, 1974. First members of the Board included, Paul Abalos, Dudley Bayne, R.L. Blakely, Galdys Caviness, Bartley Dowell, R.C.Hoelshcher, Wanda Hoover, Walter Kreig, Rodney Laubhan, Margaret London, Kay McWhorter, Jim Pickett, David Pruitt,  Rene Ramirez, and Andy Shuval.  Please call us and share  information about any of these dedicated people or share  your story of the early years of Big Brothers Big Sisters. We would love to learn more about the   people who were involved with the idea and dedication to open the doors to a  Big Brothers Big Sisters agency to serve the children of Hereford.    Any information will be appreciated. Please contact us at  806-364-6171.