Big Brothers Fundraiser Pending

Budget cuts for the U.S. Department of Education have cost Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas, which serves Benton and Washington counties, about $100,000 for its 2008 budget.

Procter & Gamble Inc. has stepped in with a memorial golf tournament to honor Big Brothers Big Sisters board president and P&G executive Ken Shields, who died Oct. 21.

Organizers are encouraged that the tournament, planned for Nov. 12, can cover the funding gap. Big Brothers Big Sisters will match about 275 kids with mentors this year. The organization planned on increasing that to 300 for next year, and are hopeful the fundraiser can make that possible