Taking a walk on North Bay’s sunny waterfront on Sunday helped provide a special someone to look up to for local children.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Walk for Kids Sake raised funds to provide one-to-one mentoring services and growth-based programs to foster optimal development of area children and youth.
The Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Bay and District is Darlene Jamieson. She had the high target of raising $10,000 from the walk. “One person raised over $700 so we’re pretty excited that we might have reached our goal."
Jamieson said that there were 60 people participating. “Everybody raised a minimum of $40. They walked either 2k or 4k, returning here to the band shell. We had a barbecue for them and gifts via sponsors.”
The tally is not finalized as yet as online pledges are still being received as well donations at the Rotary Picnic Shelter on the waterfront.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Bay and District serves 250 children annually. Jamieson points out there are 60 children in the Big Brothers Big Sisters match program who have their own Big Brother or Big Sister. She says Big Brothers and Big Sisters are always needed.
“We have 30 children in the Big Bunch Program which is a waiting list program. While they are waiting for a permanent Big Brother or Big Sister they are in Big Bunch. And then in the Go Girls! and Game On!, we have 140 children registered for the upcoming school season.
There is a list with some children waiting. 18 little boys are waiting for a Big Brother and 11 girls are waiting for a Big Sister.”
Jamieson says the number of children waiting has come down. “In the past you heard promotions of 50 boys waiting. That’s not happening anymore. We are really making a big effort to get the word out there that men were needed to be mentors.”
She says there are flexible ways to accommodate volunteers. “Some might think it is such a big commitment. But it’s just two or three hours a week. We match you with someone with the same interests to fit them into your already busy schedule.”
All funds raised in the Walk For Kids Sake are used to provide programs for children. Jamieson says all kids need a special someone to provide guidance and praise and to have fun with!
Call Big Brothers Big Sisters at 705-474-3041 to donate to Walk For Kids Sake and/or to sign up to be a mentor. Donate online here.
