“I moved to Fort McMurray in 2017 and was struck by how welcoming the community was and how much people prioritized giving back. One day I heard a radio promo that BBBSWB urgently needed volunteers and had a waitlist of children looking for mentors. With my wife working long site hours and no friends yet, it felt like the perfect way to give back.
After a thorough application process I was matched with my Little, an energetic eight‑year‑old who loved playgrounds, sports, and adventure; a perfect match for my eagerness to explore Fort McMurray. We spent our half‑day visits every two weeks at the golf course, arcade, rock‑climbing wall, pool, bike trails, skateparks, ski hill, and more. From the start he was unbelievably polite, caring, and selfless. Our shared enthusiasm for activity fed each other’s spirits, and before I knew it he was 13 and taller than me.
Being a BBBSWB mentor has been incredibly rewarding. I believe in “givers gain”: the more you give, the more you receive. My Little pushes me to be my best without asking, and while I’m proud to be his role model, he gives me as much as I give him. He’s thoughtful and a bright part of my life. I highly recommend anyone with spare time join BBBSWB — you’ll get everything out of it that you put in!”
– Jeff, Big Brother
“I volunteered as a Big Sister because I imagined how positively my life — and a child’s — could be changed by spending time together. Since being matched with my Little, our adventures have taught me a lot about myself.
We’ve gone trick-or-treating at the horse stables, attended hockey games, explored outdoor art exhibits, and visited the candy store more than once. My Little has pushed me out of my comfort zone; I’m more active and view our time as personal development, both mental and physical. I’ve been swimming, rock climbing, and climbing every playground in town. We’ve also enjoyed community fairs, exhibits, and festivals I might otherwise have missed.
Being a Big means offering a listening ear and a safe place for my Little, and it’s rewarding to watch her learn, have great days, and feel comfortable talking about things she might not with her parents. It also benefits her family—her mom is grateful for the few hours a week I can give, which helps the whole household. I never realized how many people are positively affected by my participation as a Big; it’s much more than just the Little who benefits.”
– Holly, Big Sister
“
I recently started with Big Brothers Big Sisters in October and becoming a mentor is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am a big kid at heart and love to do all the fun things with my mentee, seeing the joy in her face when we have our weekly meetings is such a rewarding feeling and I am so thankful to have such an influence in her life.
Aside from doing fun things, I try to mention key lessons and knowledge that will be beneficial to my little, such as the importance of being kind, how to help with our environment, and how to be a leader. It is important for me as a mentor to teach my mentee valuable things while also having fun and our match is a perfect balance of both!
I am so glad I joined this program and never knew someone so little could have such an influence in my life as a big. I love being a big because seeing the smile on my littles face makes being a mentor so worth it! I love doing all the fun things with my little and she definitely keeps me on my toes!
“
– Big Sister