About Us: 2014 Big Sister State Winner
Washington Township Woman Named New Jersey's Big Sister
of the Year
By Kristina Pritchett/South Jersey Times — March 18, 2014
Jamie Keller and Mackenzie sit together after carving pumpkins. Keller has been named New Jersey’s Big Sister of the Year. (Submitted Photo)
- Kristina Pritchett | South Jersey Times
A Sewell resident was recently named New Jersey’s Big Sister of the Year in the Big Brother Big Sister program.
realized she would still be in it 10 years later, let alone win an award for her time.
“I still can’t believe it happened, I know there are so many awesome Bigs out there,” Keller said. “I don’t have words to explain it.”
Keller has been part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties since she was a junior in high school. A year later, in 2004, she was matched with her Little Sister, Mackenzie.
Mackenzie, who was 7 years old at the time, would spend an hour a week with Keller.
“It was amazing to have someone so excited to see me, even if it was just an hour and once a week,” Keller said. “It started out with me joining because my friends were in it, and I wanted to volunteer and add it to my resume for college.”
After graduating from Palmyra High School, the Washington Township resident continued in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in the Community Based program while she was in college.
The 27-year-old said she continued the program because she believed she had connected with Mackenzie in a meaningful way.
From left to right, Lloyd Freeman the Chairman of the board, Jamie Keller, Mackenzie and Erica McLoed, the Program director stand together after Keller receives her award for Big Sister of the Year. (Submitted Photo)
Robert Jakubowski, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties, said it has been amazing to see how committed Jamie is.
“We are all so busy in life, and it’s so easy to get rid of something like volunteering, and she never stopped,” Jakubowski said.
He also said the process in order to select the awards starts with essays from the little, the little’s mother and the case manager as to why that Big Sister has been an excellent mentor.
“It helps the committee paint a picture and rate how that mentor has had an impact,” he said. “Mackenzie and her mother both showed their gratification, and Mackenzie has blossomed into a young woman.”
In January Keller was named Big Sister of the Year on the local level within the Community Based Program. After that, her nomination was sent up to the state level.
Erica McLoed, the program director who has worked with Keller and Mackenzie, said Keller is an amazing mentor who is very dedicated.
“We try to see each other once or twice a month, depending on our schedules,” Keller said. “But hopefully over the next two months or so I will see her more.”
Keller added she is getting married soon and wants to include Mackenzie in the activities, and is having her be a greeter at the wedding.
Mackenzie, now 16 years old, wrote in her nomination, “I think I can honestly say that I would not be the same person that I am today if I was never matched with Jamie.”
Jakubowski added not too many Big Sisters or Big Brothers continue the program after they graduate high school.
“She goes above and beyond," McLoed said. "They’ve been matched for 10 years now and they have a solid relationship.”
Works Cited: Pritchett, Kristina. "Washington Township Woman Named New Jersey's Big Sister of the Year." South Jersey Times, 18 March 2013. Web.