Did you ever wonder how many lives would be changed for the better if more children, who often need guidance, actually had a mentor?

The goal of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to provide more screened and trained adult volunteers to match with area children. None of this can be done without the community support. People must be willing to volunteer to help or to donate.

Caring adults who volunteer to spend time with a child twice a month, or one hour weekly in the school-based program, are the basis of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Without these wonderful volunteer “Bigs” there would be no mentoring taking place through the BBBS programs.

Secondly, financial support from the community is vital. BBBS receives no government funding for mentoring services. The majority of funding is provided through fund-raising events, grants and the generosity of donors.

Each year Big Brothers Big Sisters and other local nonprofits must hold their hands out to area citizens asking for contributions.

This year, any donations of $100 or more received by Dec. 15 will be matched with a gift to the Big Brothers Big Sisters endowment fund at the Polk County Community Foundation.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is consistently ranked high for charitable giving: five-star by Great Nonprofits, A+ from the American Institute of Philanthropy, and No. 1 in serving at-risk youth by Philanthropedia, The Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance states that BBBS meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Littles and Bigs do simple things together like going hiking, baking cookies, seeing a play, visiting a museum, going to the library, reading or doing school work. How does having a caring adult in their lives benefit a child?

They are more self-confident, are less likely to begin using drugs and alcohol, have improved behavior and relationships, their grades improve and their life skills are enhanced. A strong mentoring relationship helps empower children to succeed, putting them on a path to a brighter future.

Now is the perfect time to consider making a year-end tax-deductible contribution. A donation can help make and maintain matches with Bigs and Littles, to positively impact the lives of children in our community. Big Brothers

Big Sisters is sustained by those who volunteer and donate to make such a difference.
Donations may be sent to BBBS, 301 N Trade St., Tryon, NC 28782. For more information, please contact BBBS at or 828-859-9230.
– article submitted by Karen Dacey