SHREWSBURY, Massachusetts – Kelly Fitzgerald, a long-time Big Sister and Board Member with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass / Metrowest has received the 2011 Dr. H. Martin Deranian Fellowship Award.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has presented the Dr. H. Martin Deranian Fellowship Award annually, named in honor of Dr. H. Martin Deranian, a Shrewsbury resident who has been a Big Brother for over 40 years.  The award is given to an individual mentor or group of mentors who go above and beyond the expectations set by the agency and have made a long-term commitment.

“When considering candidates for this year’s Deranian Award, Kelly was clearly the front-runner,” said Ben Ticho, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters.  “Her consistent dedication to her little sister and her tireless advocacy of our mission has made her invaluable to our agency.”

Kelly has been matched with her Little Sister, Bethany, since July 2004.  Bethany’s mother, Kathleen, believes the biggest impact that Kelly has made on her daughter is “accountability, responsibility and the importance of a good education.  Whenever Bethany encounters a new challenge, Kelly is right there to help create a game plan to get Bethany back on track.  She motivates Bethany by setting a positive example.”

For the past four years, Kelly has also been a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Board of Directors.  She has become a distinct voice of the agency, working on various special events and helping to raise funds and awareness by engaging the community.

Kelly currently resides in Shrewsbury and is a Vice President at Bank of America in Worcester.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters helps vulnerable children beat the odds.  The organization depends on donations to help recruit volunteers and reach more children.  Funding is used to conduct background checks on volunteers to ensure child safety; and provide ongoing support for children, families and volunteers to build and sustain long-lasting relationships.  Big Brothers Big Sisters is proven to improve children’s odds for succeeding in school, behaving nonviolently, avoiding drugs and alcohol and breaking negative cycles.  With offices located in Worcester and Framingham, BBBSCM serves over 1200 children in 40 towns in Central Massachusetts and Metrowest.  Learn how you can change how children grow up in America by going to www.bbbscm.org.