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March, 2010

"Memories are made of this" I am part of a group of senior ladies who have taken on the immence satifaction of mentoring boys and girls in a once a week after school program which we named "Big Hearts Little Hands". From the start it has been a joy to be part of this program and the children have shown each of us a side of sharing that I can honestly say I never experienced before. The children that we are working with, for the most part come from single family homes, broken marriage homes and other similar situations. The principal of the school chooses children that he feels would most benefit from this program. I don't think that our benefit even came into consideration. Who was to know the magic that we would find? From a dear little boy who I mentored in this program, and who now has a full-time Big Brother, is a tangible example of the effect this program has had on me. It happenend at the first "Bowl for Kids" that I attended. I was a greeter at the door as the participants arrived. The line-up was quite long and as I looked down the line there was that little boy with his big brother. He spotted me and although we hadn't seen each other for more than a year, he ran all the way to the spot where I stood and threw his arms around me and said "I really miss you". My eyes filled with tears as I gathered him into my arms and as I think of each of the children that I've spent time with during this program I think how very fortunate I am to have memories like this.
My Big Sister. My name is Tara and I live in Kingston Ontario. When I was 14 or 15 my parents called the big sisters and big brothers association and got me involved with them. Her name was Jennifer and unfortunatley I can't remember her last name. We used to go to the movies together and church together and we just spent time together as friends would do. She unfortunatley she moved away and I never stayed in contact with her. I really wish I had because now I would like to share with her my two daughters and tell her how Iam doing and such. My experience with the big sisters and with Jennifer was amazing. I hope maybe someday we can reconnect again so I can share my life with her and tell her how much I appreciated her being around and how much she was appreciated!!!! Tara P.S. I hope someday to find her.
From BFKS to BS In 2003, I was thumbing through the paper, trying to find something fun (and affordable) for me and my dear stepson (13 at the time) to do. I found a full-page article about the Big Brothers Bigs Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake, and thought, "This would be something fun to do that would teach him about giving back to the community while having fun. I put a team together that year (and every year since then!) and we raised pledges, had fun, and won some door prizes too! Fast forward to 2008: I had been thinking of becoming a big sister for a couple of years, but I wondered if I was 'good enough' to mentor a young girl. My ma said,"Well, you've done the bowling for 7 years, and you've worked with kids all your life, so why don't you volunteeer to become a Big Sister?" After about a week of mulling it over, I went online to find contact info for Maple Ridge. I sent of an email with my question about 'qualifications' for becoming a Big Sister. That summer, I took the training course, and by Oct 2008 I was matched! Next month it will be 1 year for my match. Hard to believe how fast time flies! And to think, it all started with a Bowl for Kids' Sake newspaper article!
The BBBS Experience I had some extra time and a great love of children and so I decided to get involved with BBBS. Boy what a surprise! My image of what was involved and the benefits were all focused on what I could give to a child…..little did I know that the rewards for me would be astounding. Sabrina and I were matched early in 2006 and we have had many wonderful hours together. The BBBS sponsored events are fun, but it is the outings throughout the rest of the year that make it all worthwhile. Playing sports, hiking, mini-golf and going to the movies keeps us busy. A highlight of any of our outings is playing with my dog Jake (a King Charles Spaniel). Whenever we do anything there is always a plea to go and see Jake. Sabrina loves animals, but living in an apartment restricts her from having too many pets, although she does have a cute kitten. This year she was able to get a dog at her Dad's place, so she is very excited about that. Now she has a pet at both homes! It is a wonderful experience being involved with a young person.
My Big I was in grade 3or 4 when my mom put us in touch with the agency . She was a single mom and was involved with the agency already with my Brother's match. She thought I needed someone else in my life since my Dad was not in our lives. I was put in a match that only lasted a few months since that Big was starting a family of her own. My caseworker tried again the result - the best gift he could of given me. My "Big Sister", Diane. We hit off so great that she included me in her wedding party as her junior bridesmaid. We kept in touch up until i had my first child in 1999. After that we went our separate ways as she had her family and i had mine. Unfortunately, in August of 2005, my "sister" passed away . I do not know how because I was out of town when it happened, but my sister read her obituary to me over the phone when i got back, i started to cry over my loss. I was mad at myself for being out of town and not in touch with her more for a long time after. if u believe that when someone dies that another is born then my second son is proof- because less than a month after she passed i found out i was pregant again. Thank you to the staff for giving me my friendship with her . The memories will be with me forever.
Are you sure you want to go for that long Those were the words from Tanya our case worker when I mentioned to her that Dylan and I were planning a 3 day camping trip, which was also our first time away camping. 3 days did not seem long at all for a camping trip, if anything too short, by the time you take into consideration the drive time. Dylan and I were both excited about our 1st trip away, but I dont think I (a 27 yr old guy with no kids) was aware of what I was getting myself into. I came to this quick realization, when I picked Dylan up to head north. I had DVD's, CD's, food, pop, everything you could think of to make our ride up that much more enjoyable. I was set for our 3 day camping trip! We left Dylan's house, I could still see it in the rear-view mirror and it all started. "Are we there yet Mike, how long of a drive is it going to be, what time will we arrive" The peppering of questions was overwhelming, and I was thinking wow, we are together for 3 days!! Both Dylan and I quickly got to know eachother much better over our camping trip than our short weekly visits. It was a learning experience for the both of us. Looking back on it, I am glad we went on that camping trip, because that had become a annual thing for us and we just finished our 5th annual camping trip. I have had a blast with Dylan since we were matched. I have got to know him and myself much better over the past years. This program is a great opportunity for both big's and little's. Our agency has done a great job with us and many others, I comment the efforts of all the staff. Hearing Dylan say he wants to become a Big Brother, is proof that Big Brothers is an amazing association that is giving back to all!!

"Memories are made of this"

I am part of a group of senior ladies who have taken on the immence satifaction of mentoring boys and girls in a once a week after school program which we named "Big Hearts Little Hands". From the start it has been a joy to be part of this program and the children have shown each of us a side of sharing that I can honestly say I never experienced before. The children that we are working with, for the most part come from single family homes, broken marriage homes and other similar situations. The principal of the school chooses children that he feels would most benefit from this program. I don't think that our benefit even came into consideration. Who was to know the magic that we would find? From a dear little boy who I mentored in this program, and who now has a full-time Big Brother, is a tangible example of the effect this program has had on me. It happenend at the first "Bowl for Kids" that I attended. I was a greeter at the door as the participants arrived. The line-up was quite long and as I looked down the line there was that little boy with his big brother. He spotted me and although we hadn't seen each other for more than a year, he ran all the way to the spot where I stood and threw his arms around me and said "I really miss you". My eyes filled with tears as I gathered him into my arms and as I think of each of the children that I've spent time with during this program I think how very fortunate I am to have memories like this.

My Big Sister.

My name is Tara and I live in Kingston Ontario. When I was 14 or 15 my parents called the big sisters and big brothers association and got me involved with them. Her name was Jennifer and unfortunatley I can't remember her last name. We used to go to the movies together and church together and we just spent time together as friends would do. She unfortunatley she moved away and I never stayed in contact with her. I really wish I had because now I would like to share with her my two daughters and tell her how Iam doing and such. My experience with the big sisters and with Jennifer was amazing. I hope maybe someday we can reconnect again so I can share my life with her and tell her how much I appreciated her being around and how much she was appreciated!!!! Tara P.S. I hope someday to find her.

From BFKS to BS

In 2003, I was thumbing through the paper, trying to find something fun (and affordable) for me and my dear stepson (13 at the time) to do. I found a full-page article about the Big Brothers Bigs Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake, and thought, "This would be something fun to do that would teach him about giving back to the community while having fun. I put a team together that year (and every year since then!) and we raised pledges, had fun, and won some door prizes too! Fast forward to 2008: I had been thinking of becoming a big sister for a couple of years, but I wondered if I was 'good enough' to mentor a young girl. My ma said,"Well, you've done the bowling for 7 years, and you've worked with kids all your life, so why don't you volunteeer to become a Big Sister?" After about a week of mulling it over, I went online to find contact info for Maple Ridge. I sent of an email with my question about 'qualifications' for becoming a Big Sister. That summer, I took the training course, and by Oct 2008 I was matched! Next month it will be 1 year for my match. Hard to believe how fast time flies! And to think, it all started with a Bowl for Kids' Sake newspaper article!

The BBBS Experience

I had some extra time and a great love of children and so I decided to get involved with BBBS. Boy what a surprise! My image of what was involved and the benefits were all focused on what I could give to a child…..little did I know that the rewards for me would be astounding. Sabrina and I were matched early in 2006 and we have had many wonderful hours together. The BBBS sponsored events are fun, but it is the outings throughout the rest of the year that make it all worthwhile. Playing sports, hiking, mini-golf and going to the movies keeps us busy. A highlight of any of our outings is playing with my dog Jake (a King Charles Spaniel). Whenever we do anything there is always a plea to go and see Jake. Sabrina loves animals, but living in an apartment restricts her from having too many pets, although she does have a cute kitten. This year she was able to get a dog at her Dad's place, so she is very excited about that. Now she has a pet at both homes! It is a wonderful experience being involved with a young person.

My Big

I was in grade 3or 4 when my mom put us in touch with the agency . She was a single mom and was involved with the agency already with my Brother's match. She thought I needed someone else in my life since my Dad was not in our lives. I was put in a match that only lasted a few months since that Big was starting a family of her own. My caseworker tried again the result - the best gift he could of given me. My "Big Sister", Diane. We hit off so great that she included me in her wedding party as her junior bridesmaid. We kept in touch up until i had my first child in 1999. After that we went our separate ways as she had her family and i had mine. Unfortunately, in August of 2005, my "sister" passed away . I do not know how because I was out of town when it happened, but my sister read her obituary to me over the phone when i got back, i started to cry over my loss. I was mad at myself for being out of town and not in touch with her more for a long time after. if u believe that when someone dies that another is born then my second son is proof- because less than a month after she passed i found out i was pregant again. Thank you to the staff for giving me my friendship with her . The memories will be with me forever.

Are you sure you want to go for that long

Those were the words from Tanya our case worker when I mentioned to her that Dylan and I were planning a 3 day camping trip, which was also our first time away camping. 3 days did not seem long at all for a camping trip, if anything too short, by the time you take into consideration the drive time. Dylan and I were both excited about our 1st trip away, but I dont think I (a 27 yr old guy with no kids) was aware of what I was getting myself into. I came to this quick realization, when I picked Dylan up to head north. I had DVD's, CD's, food, pop, everything you could think of to make our ride up that much more enjoyable. I was set for our 3 day camping trip! We left Dylan's house, I could still see it in the rear-view mirror and it all started. "Are we there yet Mike, how long of a drive is it going to be, what time will we arrive" The peppering of questions was overwhelming, and I was thinking wow, we are together for 3 days!! Both Dylan and I quickly got to know eachother much better over our camping trip than our short weekly visits. It was a learning experience for the both of us. Looking back on it, I am glad we went on that camping trip, because that had become a annual thing for us and we just finished our 5th annual camping trip. I have had a blast with Dylan since we were matched. I have got to know him and myself much better over the past years. This program is a great opportunity for both big's and little's. Our agency has done a great job with us and many others, I comment the efforts of all the staff. Hearing Dylan say he wants to become a Big Brother, is proof that Big Brothers is an amazing association that is giving back to all!!