November 20, 2008
Dear Friend,
For many years I have supported Big
Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Maine, a program of Downeast Health
Services, Inc. I knew about their good work and recognized the importance of
mentoring. As a member of the local business community, I contributed
financially and encouraged my employees to participate in the Big Brothers
Big Sisters (BBBS) program. Earlier this year, I decided I wanted to do
more. My wife and I had been informally mentoring a family friend named
Nicholas for the last 5 years. As he grew older our outings had inevitable
become less frequent, but the experience had been so rewarding that I
inquired about becoming an official Big Brother.
When I had been approved an a mentor,
Kristina Meredith, the Mentor Coordinator for this area of Hancock County,
said she had a child in mind that might be a perfect match. This boy had
been waiting over six months for a mentor through BBBS. As she began telling
me about this nine-year old named Kincaid, it occurred to me that fate
really does play a role in bringing people together. Kristina had no idea,
but Kincaid was the younger brother of Nicholas. Their mother had been
impressed with the difference having a mentor had made on Nicholas and she
approached BBBS seeking the same kind of relationship for Kincaid. Thanks to
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Maine (and an amazing coincidence); I
have officially become re-engaged with this fine family.
Being a Big Brother is not a huge
commitment. Kincaid and I spend a couple hours a week together. Our match is
a combination of the community-based program where we get together at a
prearranged time every other weekend and the
school-based program where we
meet in the library for a half-hour every week. On our school-based day, we
walk together to his elementary school (also my own grade-school alma mater)
and once school starts, we play board games, do crafts, and talk. When we
get together away from school we do things like throwing a football, rock
climbing, and exploring around town. We both look forward to and benefit
from this time together.
BBBS exists to bring together children
with caring adults, each relationship is different, but the program’s
volunteer training and monthly monitoring provide the foundation for great
results. Any parent who thinks their boy or girl, age 7-14, could benefit
from a mentor should get in touch with Big Brothers Big sisters of Eastern
Maine.
Living in Maine, as we all know, is both
rewarding and challenging. Our slow pace and beautiful views are “the way
life should be”, but there are many people who must work very hard to keep
their families moving forward in our challenging economy. For this reason
there are sometimes children who do not receive enough one-on-one time with
caring adults. And it gives those adults a way to make a difference in their
community at a very fundamental level. As an employer, we are proud to
provide paid time off and flexible schedules to employees involved in
mentoring. I encourage everyone in the community to support BBBS in any way
they can. It is a little bit of time that can make a real impact on a
child’s life.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Maine
wants to create even more life-changing matches, but they need your help.
There is a significant cost to recruiting volunteers, doing background
checks, providing volunteer training, meeting with schools and parents, and
advising and supporting each “Big” and “Little” during the life of their
relationship. Your gift will help a child realize the benefits of knowing an
adult as a trusted friend.
Sincerely,
Matthew Curtis
Cadillac Mountain Sports
