Stories

Nancy and Sarah

Dear Big Brothers Big Sisters Program,

I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all those involved in making our lives richer because of a match made in heaven. Your organization has been a part of our lives for ten years and we appreciate all that you do to provide family support and positive changes in the lives of kids and adults in our community. With that said, it is a pleasure to share our experience about a very special match that started on March 16, 1999.

During a trying time in my life, my sister Bobbie suggested that I call Big Brothers Big Sisters to see what it was all about. As a single parent, I thought "why not?" Little did I know at that time, I was about to meet an angel. Now, I had some reservations since my child's life was involved...and a stranger would actually choose my daughter as a Little Sister. Well, the choices were made and faith stepped in and took over.

As a mom, it is so reassuring to know there are wonderful, caring people in this world who are willing and capable of sharing their time and energy to make a child's life a little better. My daughter, Sara, is a better person because of it. I can't say nearly enough about what Nancy has done in all of our lives. Not only was Sara blessed by the special union, my whole family has a true friend forever.

When Sara first met Nancy she was 8 years old. As they were getting acquainted, Nancy asked her if she liked bakin' cookies. Sara, being a little nervous, answered "I've never had them." Wow! Nancy must have thought we were from another planet or something - what kid doesn't like home baked cookies? Well, Sara was thinking bacon cookies?? Maybe Nancy is from outerspace! That's how it all began.

After many years, and lots of baked cookies, Sara still has Nancy as her Big Sister. Kids grow up so fast and Sara is 18 now and will graduate from the same high school as Nancy did. As it turned out, Nancy's parents live in the same town we are from and we all bonded so easily. It was so nice to have them at school activities and sporting events to support my daughter and be there for me as well. Because of our need for a new friendship, we met Nancy and her family through Big Brothers Big Sisters. It truly was, and is, a very special match.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has probably seen many matches over the years and not all of them work out well, but I am happy to say that my daughter really "struck the original match" with Nancy. I'd like to give Nancy and her family a special thank you for all the joy they have brought to us over the years. It is people like these that make your organization a success and their dedication and commitment to Sara is beyond words. We will get together soon to take pictures and to celebrate our friendship and I will send you a photo of Nancy and Sara to keep as a reminder of all the positive things you do at Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Please accept my gratitude on behalf of my daughter Sara. It is my hope, as her mom, that someday she will be in a position to be a Big Sister to another girl in need of a friend. As her match with Nancy nears an end with the program, I can be certain that this special friendship will last a lifetime.

Sincerely,
Lori

Chester & David - National Story

On Friday, May 1, 2009 Big Brothers Big Sisters showed America just how powerful its impact is. Chester Ross, 95, and David Loughran, 37, of White Plains, NY show us just how successful their 30 year relationship has been thanks to their match with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Good Morning America Reporter, Anchor Kate Snow, delivers a compelling story and expresses the need for volunteers and donors to continue to make matches like Chester and David happen. View the video here. 

Emily and Tianna

Big Sister Emily and Little Sister Tianna always enjoy one another’s company.  They actively involve themselves in each other’s lives and constantly do fun activities.  Tianna really likes that Emily is willing to do stuff with her, especially outside when the weather is nice.

Some of Emily and Tianna’s more memorable activities include visiting Action City, riding Emily’s horses and learning to take care of them, spending the day at an Apple Orchard, and Easter egg hunts.  It appears that the pair has been able to do an array of activities that keeps them on their toes.  The staff at Big Brothers Big Sisters always likes to know that our matches maintain such great relationships and have a great time together!

While having a good time, both Emily and Tianna have learned things from one another.  Emily says she has learned several things from her time with Tianna but particularly notices how clever a nine year old can be.  She says, in her own words, “How fun it is to watch her discover new things.”  Tianna reveals to Big Brothers Big Sisters that she now knows how to peel a carrot and make her own blanket because of what Emily has taught her.

Not only do they do things they enjoy, Emily and Tianna experience things that neither of them typically gets involved with.  For instance, Emily is going to take Tianna fishing.  She says that this will be brand new experience for her. 

Emily tells Big Brothers Big Sisters that the two girls “truly are friends.”  She explains that they share things with one another, laugh, play games, most of all they have fun!

Kathryn and Alisha & Alex and Ashley

Alisha and Ashley are twin sisters who decided to get involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.  Both girls have been matched with wonderful Big Sisters who enjoy hanging out with them.  In 2007, both matches were able to participate in Bowl For Kids’ Sake all together.  Big Sister Alex says, in her own words, “It was really fun watching the two of them bowl” (the twins).

Both Big Sisters have always wanted to become active in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.  Kathryn tells us, “It is important for every child to have a support system of caring adults and I wanted to be part of such a support system.”  She explains that the program is great because Bigs are able to contribute their time in an effortless and minimal manner.  Kathryn takes pleasure in a firsthand experience of the positive effect that matches have on one another.

Both matches have enjoyed hanging out at the Beaver Creek Reserve, Bowl For Kids’ Sake event and visiting the Children’s Museum.  Little Sister Alisha enjoyed the museum because they were able to make necklaces and color pictures.  Alisha also had fun baking cookies with Kathryn and going to the mall together.  Twin sister Ashley says her favorite activity with Alex was participating in the Big/Little Bowl.

Big Sister Alex wanted to be more active in her community and chose to join the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.  She says that her best experience with Ashley was when she first picked her up from school to go on an outing together.  In her own words, “It was the most wonderful feeling seeing her so excited that she was going to hang out with me. It made me feel really good inside that I could make someone so happy.”

Leslie and Santana

In September 2006 Leslie became a Big Sister and was matched with her Little, Santana.  Leslie had heard of the great things Big Brothers Big Sisters does for children in her community and decided to get involved.  She is the youngest child in her family and always felt like she wanted to take care of a younger sibling. Knowing that that would never happen, Leslie knew she needed to find a program that would allow her to interact with a child.

Well, Big Brothers Big Sisters fulfilled Leslie’s desire to have a younger sibling and now she says that she has “a chance to act like the big kid that I am!”  Leslie feels that her match with Santana is a great way to accomplish that.  She tells Big Brothers Big Sisters how rewarding it is to see Santana happy and explains in her own words, “He is a great little boy, who has such an imagination and a great personality. I wish I spent time with him everyday!!” Santana also enjoys hanging out with Leslie as much as she does with him.  He likes to play catch, watch movies, visit Action City and hang out at the YMCA with Leslie.  Also, Santana thinks Leslie is especially good at creating snowmen!  By hanging out with his Big Sister, Santana has learned how to catch a baseball and play racquetball.

Leslie thanks Big Brothers Big Sisters and says, in her own words, “All of the time we spend together is exciting!  I truly enjoy being able to hang out with Santana.”