While not everyone is involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria and Area because of an adverse situation, they are all benefiting in more ways than one.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really fun because youB次元官网网址檙e not alone and you have someone to see all the time,B次元官网网址� said Daniel Church, 10. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 super fun to have a Big Brother B次元官网网址� Andy taught me to learn how to ride a bike.B次元官网网址�
DanielB次元官网网址檚 Big Brother Andy Lee joined the program because he thought it would be fun. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 retired and I needed something to do,B次元官网网址� he explained, noting he and his wife donB次元官网网址檛 have any grandkids of their own.
B次元官网网址淲e spend most of Saturdays together,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 a wonderful program. Big Brothers provides lots of support, lots of ideas for things to do.B次元官网网址�
DanielB次元官网网址檚 older sister Halley, 15, joined the program after it was suggested to her. B次元官网网址淣ow itB次元官网网址檚 just the best decision I have ever made,B次元官网网址� she said.
Her Big Sister Rachel Klopp, 25, joined as a mentor while in her last year of university, looking to gain some volunteer experience. B次元官网网址淚 had looked at the program since I was 14 and IB次元官网网址檇 always wanted to be a part of it,B次元官网网址� she explained. B次元官网网址淚 was a student when I started so it was a really nice break to go do something fun instead of just studying. Now itB次元官网网址檚 just my hobby.B次元官网网址�
Klopp and Halley do all sorts of fun things together too, whether itB次元官网网址檚 spending time at the mall or going the movies.
B次元官网网址淪ometimes itB次元官网网址檚 just us hanging out and chilling like you would with any other friend,B次元官网网址� Klopp said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e gone to a lot of shows.B次元官网网址�
She added they even went to the Nutcracker at the end of last year. B次元官网网址淲e get a lot of fun tickets and opportunities we wouldnB次元官网网址檛 [normally] thanks to Big Brothers Big Sisters.B次元官网网址�
But itB次元官网网址檚 an opportunity not all children get to have as there are roughly 120 kids on the wait list for Greater Victoria.
In 2017, Big Brothers Big Sisters served more than 700 local kids with the help of more than 400 individuals volunteering their time.
In the hopes of helping more local youth, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria and Area is hosting Bowl for Kids Sake, a fundraising event April 20 to 22 at Langford Lanes.
While space for bowlers is sold out on the Friday, there are still some slots open Saturday and Sunday. Organizers are also still looking for sponsors and auction items.
B次元官网网址淲e would love the community to know that their contributions truly changes lives,B次元官网网址� said Eliza Gibb, Bowl for Kids Sake event co-ordinator. B次元官网网址淢any families and children seek our services because they are facing adversities in life including mental health issues, family violence, or poor living conditions. With the communityB次元官网网址檚 support, we are able to accommodate the needs of each child, lessen social stigma by focusing on resiliency, and offer the potential of a long-lasting relationship necessary for change, healthy lifestyles, and future success.B次元官网网址�
Daniel and HalleyB次元官网网址檚 mother Amanda noted the program has been nothing but beneficial for her kids.
B次元官网网址淭hey needed positive role models in their lives B次元官网网址� they needed that extra support they couldnB次元官网网址檛 get from home,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 could not have asked for better matches for my kids. I donB次元官网网址檛 want to imagine where my kids would have been without them.B次元官网网址�
For more information on the event or Big Brothers Big Sisters, go to .
