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| Children find role models in mentor program |
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| Written by Brandon Steinert | |||
| Friday, 05 February 2010 08:00 | |||
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While most fourth-graders are having breakfast and chatting with other children in the cafeteria, Matthew Page is in the library hanging out with his “Big,” Andy French, a junior from Osawatomie High School.
 French entered Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami County a little more than a year ago when he decided he wanted to find a way to help others. “I was looking for ways to be generous,” he said. Upon entering the program, French said, executive director Erin Lyon told him creating initial matches is sometimes a gamble. French said he was lucky. “I really like this kid,” he said. “I like being someone he can look up to. Having a kid look up to you is, like, the coolest thing ever.” Monday morning consisted of a game of “Guess Who?” Other sessions can range from different board games to playing basketball. Page said the time he gets with his Big is important to him. “We get to have fun and hang out,” he said. “I have someone to hang out with and someone to give me support.” Lyon said the program is crucial to many children’s futures and is an asset to the community as a whole. “This puts kids with people who might be able to offer them something their own parent cannot, whether that be social skills, encouraging them to go to college or knowing how to get them resources others may not,” she said. “(Children with mentors) become more community oriented, volunteer more and have better relationships than those without mentors.” There are 70 matches in Miami County, but Lyon said there are several children who do not yet have a Big. To participate in the program, call her at (913) 294-4403 or go online to www.kansasbigs.org. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami County is also approaching its largest fund-raiser of the year, Bowl for Kids’ Sake 2010 will start at 1 p.m. March 6 at Olathe Lanes East. The tournament usually features about 35 to 40 five-person teams, competing for various prizes. Last year, the tournament raised about $25,000. Lyon said the goal for 2010 is $50,000.
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