When Patty Slater was invited to serve on the advisory council for the local branch of Big Brothers Big Sisters

(BBBS), she had every intention of becoming a Big Sister. One of Slater’s sisters, Wendy, had set the bar as a Big Sister while in college. Though that match ended when her sister graduated, the relationship endured, and to this day Wendy and her former Little Sister have maintained a friendship for mroe than thirty years. That continued relationship has been a source of inspiration for Slater.
Slater was matched initially with her Little Sister Mary when she was struggling in first grade at Polk Central School. Now, seven years later, Mary has been on the honor roll almost every semester of middle school, which she just completed. Even though the match transitioned to a community-based match years ago, Slater continued to visit her Little Sister weekly at school.  They still have had an occasional outing in the community to see a movie or cook a meal at Big Sister’s home after bringing in the horses. They plan to continue their community outings until Mary graduates from high school.
Slater, along with her husband David Slater, has also been a driving force for the annual BBBS Hunter Pace benefit at Caroland Farms, plus they have hosted several “Bigs Night Out” socials at theirHunting Country home.
Slater recently completed her second term as chair of Polk County’s Big Brothers Big Sisters advisory council and council representative on the regional BBBS-WNC board of directors. Slater has served as council chair, helping guide the local agency through a period of growth from serving just a few children to averaging more than 50 matches a year.
Big Brothers Big Sisters recently honored Slater with a plaque recognizing her years of service as advisory council chair.
Several members of the local BBBS Advisory Council have completed their terms of volunteer service. Anyone interested in serving as a new council member, or to volunteer as a mentor, should contact BBBS at 828-859-9230.
– article submitted by Karen Dacey