Scholarship Programs for Littles

The Annexstad Family Foundation Scholarship Program
In 2000, Al and Cathy, along with their children, Tom and Patti, created the Annexstad Family Foundation Scholarship program. The program provides scholarships to deserving Little Brothers and Littlle Sisters who have bright minds, big dreams, and little means to make their dreams of a college education a reality. Following the loss of their parents, both Al and Cathy benefited immensely from the intervention of caring adult mentors early in life. Years later, they decided to give something back. Al and Cathy chose to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) because it is the largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States. This four year, renewable scholarship provides support for deserving young men and women who have matured as "Littles" though the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. By combining resources from the Annexstad Family Foundation and the specific university, the program's goal is to assure funds for tuition, fees, room, board and books.

Eligibility (New Scholarships)

To qualify for an Annexstad Family Foundation Scholarship a student must:

• Be enrolled full-time as a high school senior.
• Be accepted as a full-time student at a participating college or university.
• Demonstrate significant financial need. Financial need will be determined by the participating educational institution upon receipt of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Have matured as a "little" through the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert's program and will be formally recommended by BBBSD.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to pursuing a bachelor's degree from one of the four-year institutions that partner with the Annexstad Family Foundation. Participating colleges in California include University of Redlands, Loyola Marymount University and University of Californian at Berkeley.

Eligibility Renewals (Ongoing)

• Scholarships will be renewed annually for those recipients who maintain the eligibility requirements.

If you are interested in applying or have questions, please contact Judy T. May, Executive Director of BBBSD at 1-760-568-3977 or email at BBBSDesert@aol.com.

Shannon Chesnos Memorial Scholarship Fund

In 2008, Frank and Kathie Chesnos established a scholarship fund in memory of their daughter, Shannon. This fund was established in memory of Shannon upon her wishes to help create wonderful memories for children in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert program. She wanted the "Littles" to experience the joys and thrills of attending summer camp. Shannon watched her own father become a Big Brother to a young boy named Shane and witnessed the impact that mentoring could make on a child.

Annually, "Littles" in Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert's program are invited to apply for a camp scholarship to attend a summer camp program of their choice. Some of the camps that our "Littles" have attended thanks to the Shannon Chesnos Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund include: Pathfinder Ranch, Camp Oakes, YMCA Surf Camp, Girl Scout and Boy Scout Camps and Church Camps.

This Fund also sponsors the annual group camping trip for Bigs and Littles. This overnight experience provides great memories for the Bigs and Littles in the program. Annually, the group will camp out at Lake Hemet and enjoy a day of fishing, hiking, and playing games and an evening spent singing around the campfire, telling stories and jokes and eating S'Mores.

Camp Scholarship Eligibility:

• Must be a "Little" in good standing with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert
• Must complete the application form and submit it to BBBSD before the deadline
• Must report back to BBBSD on the camp experience that you had thanks to this scholarship

For further information on the Shannon Chesnos Camp Scholarship program, please contact your Match Support Specialist.