1. 30 Laurel Street, 3
rd
Floor
Hartford, CT 06106-1362
December 1, 2016
Andrew Dixon
xx Goodwin Circle
Hartford, CT 6105
Dear Andrew,
It’s been just over a week since Thanksgiving and its spirit of appreciation and caring. Won’t you
consider extending that spirit by making a life-changing gift to a child in need?
Please consider giving a child the gift of a great Big Brother or Big Sister this Holiday Season. More
than 200 deserving children have this gift on their wish list right now – and you can help their wish
come true.
When you’re single and have small children, you may tend to overprotect them. That’s what Pedro’s
mom Mariana feared she was doing. She kept Pedro and his sister locked inside their modest apartment
– away from the dangers she imagined lurked just beyond the door in their East Hartford neighborhood.
She knew she was keeping the children out of
harm’s way. But, at the same time, she sensed she
was preventing them from exploring, limiting them
from experiencing all that life has to offer.
She had heard about the Nutmeg Big Brothers Big
Sisters community-based program from friends.
She did some research, liked what she learned and
signed up her son Pedro and his sister Brendaly for
the program. They went through Nutmeg’s
enrollment process, and both children were
matched with mentors.
Twelve-year-old Pedro was especially thrilled by his
new Big Brother, Mark Neadle from South Windsor.
Mark is the National Accounts Manager for Equifax.
He’s the father of three grown children and has
spent many years coaching youth sports. Mark loves children and takes pleasure in doing what he can to
help them navigate life’s complexities and challenges.

2. 30 Laurel Street, 3
rd
Floor
Hartford, CT 06106-1362
“Even though I’m usually super busy, I get a kick out of
spending time with kids like Pedro,” says Mark. “In a
way, you can be a kid again yourself – doing things you
haven’t done for years, seeing things from a young
person’s perspective.”
“I love hanging out with Mark,” Pedro says. “There are
too many females at home. With Mark I can have some
guy time.”
“Pedro won’t tell you this,” Mark says, “but he’s a
generous little guy. Even though he likes spending time
with me one-on-one, he never objects when we
sometimes bring his sister Brendaly along with us.”
The “guy time” Pedro refers to covers a wide range of
activities. Mark and Pedro have been rock climbing at
Nomad’s in Manchester. They’ve gone to antique auto
shows. They’ve cheered on the Hartford Wolf Pack at
the XL Center. They’ve stopped by the local Dave & Busters to try their luck at the arcade games. Not
long ago, they toured an East Hartford firehouse and talked with the firefighters about the trucks and
other equipment – and about firefighting as a possible career.
“When I found out that Pedro was a big fan of animals,” Mark says, “we traveled up to Springfield to
check out the exotic and domestic animals at the Forest Park Zoo. Another time we went to the petting
zoo at Flaming Farm in Simsbury. But what seems to really make Pedro happy is when we visit the dog
park and he gets to interact with my 6-pound Chihuahua, Killer.”
In the relatively short time since they were matched, Mark and Pedro have been to a lot of places and
taken in a lot of things. But it doesn’t take all of that to make Pedro smile. What really moves Big
Brother Mark is when he offers Pedro a choice of activities and Pedro tells him that all he really wants
to do is just hang out and play together.
Little Brother Pedro and Big Brother Marks’ dog Killer

3. 30 Laurel Street, 3
rd
Floor
Hartford, CT 06106-1362
“Pedro’s really such a sweet kid,” Mark says. “He’s not assuming at all. Whatever I can do to help him
fulfill his potential, I’m definitely willing to do.”
Mark Neadle is an energetic and resourceful Big
Brother. For other potential Big Brothers and Big
Sisters to get the training and support they’ll require
to help children the way Mark has, Nutmeg Big
Brothers Big Sisters needs funding to cover the costs
of background checks, pre-match training, on-going
match support and on-going mentor training.
With your donation, we can help so many children
awaiting our support achieve great things. I ask that
you please consider making a gift today on behalf
of a child in our community like Pedro, who needs
and deserves the helping hand of a mentor. Thank
you for your consideration – and best wishes for a
happy, healthy holiday season!
Sincerely,
Andy Fleischmann, President and CEO
P.S. Your support now can make all the difference to a child hoping to have a mentor this winter. Your
gift will help start changing the lives of children in need right away. If you haven’t given already, please
feel free [send in your gift today or] donate online at: www.nutmegbigbrothersbigsisters.org. Thank
you!
Big Brother Mark & Little Brother Pedro