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21 February
2002
Nine-year
old Zachary is a special part of the local Big Brothers
Big Sisters program. Most children in the program have
either a Big Sister or a Big Brother. Zach has a Big
Couple: Reggie and Phyllis Young of Ellsworth.
Zachary Emeigh, 9, plays Parcheesi with
Phyllis and Reggie Young. The three were matched in
2000 by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hancock and
Washington Counties.
STAFF PHOTO BY JENNIFER OSBORN |
The Youngs have two grown children and have been a host
family for exchange students. Big Brothers Big Sisters was
a way for them to stay involved with kids.
Zach was on the waiting list for nine months before he was
matched with the Youngs. “Unfortunately, there’s a lot
more Littles out there than there are Bigs,” said Reggie
Young. Big Brothers Big Sisters made the match in November
2000 and the threesome are still having fun.
“We play basketball,” said Zach, who plays the sport at
school along with soccer and baseball. They have also
climbed Blue Hill Mountain and Beech Cliffs Mountain, and
have driven go-carts and snowmobiles. “Zach is athletic,”
said Phyllis Young. “When we get together we try to find a
good balance of activities.” This means that sometimes the
trio also plays Pictionary or Parcheesi, or just hangs out
and cooks dinner.
According to Phyllis, people should keep in mind that
there is a wide variety of children with different
interests. “People have a lot to give kids. It’s really a
minimal amount of time. We’ve all hit it off really
great,” adds Young.
Zach’s mom, Chrystine, agrees. “He just adores them and I
do too,” said Chrystine.
Emeigh decided to get her two boys involved in the program
because she is a single parent. She had heard about
studies showing that children who are well-adjusted have
at least three adults in their lives. “It’s nice for them
to have an outlet other than mom, “ adds Emeigh.
Another benefit is the boys get to see how other families
work. “It has been wonderful,” Emeigh says.
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