Approximately 130 Big Brothers and Big Sisters, along with their little brothers, little sisters, and families braved 15 degree temperatures to attend the Big Brothers, Big Sisters annual Christmas party on Thursday night.
The party was held at the Richland Carrousel, where it has been since it was first held when Jim Nicholson took over as the director in 2008.
“I approached the Carrousel in 2008 because I thought it would be a great place to have the party, and we’ve been having it there ever since,” said Nicholson. There was a slightly smaller turn-out this year, partly because of the cold and because of other activities for the youth in the community.
Attending the party was Sean Westmeister and his little brother, Calvin. They were matched up five years ago, when Calvin was just twelve. “We try to do something about once a month,” said Westmeister of the time he spends with Calvin. He said that he and his wife wanted to give back to the community and help children in their area.
“My wife and I didn’t have any children of our own at the time so we thought it was an opportunity to help the youth in our area. At one point I had two ‘littles’ myself and my wife had three,” said Westmeister.
Calvin, now seventeen and taller than Westmeister, says he loves spending time with his Big Brother. “He takes me out to eat and stuff,” said Calvin. So far Calvin has done dozens of things that he might never have had the opportunity to do because of his Big Brother.
Stephanie Windom and her little sister were matched up just six months ago. “Our church encouraged it,” said Windom, and she decided to give it a try. Her little sister is just seven. “I know there are a lot of children out there that need love and attention. I have children of my own and enjoy doing things with kids so I checked into it.”
Currently there are 180 kids in the program, but 70 of them still don’t have a Big Brother or a Big Sister. Of those 70, there are 55 boys waiting. “Our biggest need is Big Brothers,” explained Nicholson. “Women volunteer five to one.”
Though they can match boys with women at times, usually the parent of the child wants a positive male role model when there isn’t already one in their life.
Nicholson sadly acknowledges that he has one boy in the program whose been waiting over two years for a Big Brother. “He’s almost fifteen. He’d need a volunteer willing to deal with some of the issues he has.”
How do they match the Bigs with the Littles? “We don’t match on first come, first served,” explained Nicholson. “We match based on location, common interests, and what the child and parents are looking for in a mentor.”
Nicholson wants people to realize that it doesn’t have to be a big commitment. These youth just need someone to spend a little time with, someone who will listen to them and do things with them one-on-one.
“You don’t have to change your life to impact the life of a child. A lot of what they do are things they would do anyway, like going to a movie or running errands. They just need someone to spend time with them,” stated Nicholson.
Started locally in 1997, the organization serves Richland, Ashland and Crawford counties and recently started serving parts of Morrow County when the program in Mt. Vernon ended. Their funding comes from several sources. “About 30 percent comes from United Way and another 50 percent from the fundraisers we do each year.”
The Big Brothers, Big Sisters program holds a Biggest Bowl for Kids at Park Lanes in April as well as Golf for Kids’ Sake in July and two comedy shows, one in January and one in October.
“The comedy shows have really taken off,” said Nicholson. “We get national acts in and for the first 200 tickets the comedians split the proceeds at 50 percent. Everything after that goes to our program.” Another 5 percent comes from private donations.
The 33 Big Brothers, Big Sisters across Ohio also get together to apply for federal grants each year, which provides another 20 percent toward their budget.
If you would like more information on the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program, or would like Jim Nicholson to make a presentation to your organization, church or business, you can reach them at (419) 525-4618 or online at http://www.tobeabig.com/
“You don’t have to change your life to impact the life of a child. A lot of what they do are things they would do anyway, like going to a movie or running errands. They just need someone to spend time with them,” stated Jim Nicholson.
