'Bigs' & 'Littles' Bond with a Little Help from the Friends

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the nation's premiere mentoring organization, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The staff of the San Rafael office works hard to create events throughout the year for its 'Big' and 'Little' matches to have special times together. That's why they really appreciate the free Marin Center event tickets donated to the Marin chapter by Friends of Marin Center.

Big Sister Cres Van Keulen says, "My Little Sister Gabby and I received free tickets for two events. Gabby particularly enjoyed Krasnoyarsk, a Russian folk dance troupe. Her eyes were really opened to the fact that there are other cultures with traditions very different from ours. Plus the dances and music were really fun! The tickets to Marin Center events truly give her experiences she otherwise would never enjoy."

Big Brother Alón Sagee and his Little Brother Cameron attended the Shaolin Warriors' performance at Marin Center. It was a challenge for Alón, hobbling around on crutches just a week before spinal surgery, but he knew this was an important occasion for Cameron. "It was a turning point for us," says Alón, now happily recovered. "We were matched almost a year ago, and Cameron is the same age I was when I got my Big Brother. I remember how difficult it was for me to begin to trust an adult to come through for me, so I really wanted to make sure he knows I am here to stay, that I really like hanging out with him. The Shaolin Warriors performance felt like a very big deal, a special time for the two of us on our own. We were both amazed at the Warriors' feats. We took silly pictures of ourselves at the event, and I mounted them on my website for a while, keeping the memories of that great event going. I think that evening really proved to Cameron that he can trust me to be here for him.

Cameron adds, "The Shaolin Warriors were really cool. I'd never seen anything like them in real life, only in video games. We had a great time." Cameron plays the baritone horn in his middle school band, so he and Alón hope to attend a concert of the Marin Symphony for Youth. FOMC will be only too happy to provide them with tickets.

If you would like more information about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, call BBBS at (415) 453-3800 or visit www.bbbs.marin-napa.org (www.bbbsmarin-napa.org). If you would like to become a member or sponsor of FOMC to help ensure that tickets will always be available to Cameron and Gabby and their 'Bigs', as well as hundreds of other deserving members of your community, click here.