Stephen Bingham, 10, learned how to hit golf balls and bowl a strike from Big Brother Kelly Lane.
But when it's time to play Guitar Hero, Little teaches Big.
"He's really good at Guitar Hero," said Lane, 58, who works as a team leader for BP. "He got us to the next level."
The pair met through Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Juan County and have spent time together regularly for more than a year.
Bingham said he is not competitive with Lane, except when they play the basketball game called "horse," because the winner decides what they will eat for lunch.
"Let's see, I've got golf and bowling," Lane said.
Bingham added, "And I have Horse, Guitar Hero and let's see, what else? Oh, I remember, I beat you at baseball on the Wii."
"I don't remember that," Lane said.
The two laughed. There is no doubt friendly competition was in the air as the pair visited after school at McCormick Elementary School earlier this month.
Bingham is one of 250 children, or Littles, matched with a mentor, called a Big, this year in San Juan County. Although the number of matches is up 33 percent from last year, there still are many children hoping for a Big Brother or Big Sister.
"We desperately need volunteers," said Christine
Of the 90 children on a waiting list, about 90 percent are boys.
"We have a huge need for male volunteers in our program," Garcia said.
The program is recruiting both male and female volunteers. Women can be matched with both boys and girls in the school-based program.
"You don't have to have any special education or special qualifications," Garcia said. "You just have to want to be a friend to a child and help guide them through their life."
Garcia said about 60 percent of Bigs high school juniors and seniors who meet a child at school once a week as school-based mentors.
"It's a real win-win situation for the high school students, because we can give them recommendations for college and this is a way to get them involved, helping kids in our community."
Once they have passed an extensive background check, volunteers can choose between school-based or community-based programs.
Community-based volunteers must be 18 years old and be prepared to commit two to four hours a month for an entire year.
After a year of visiting at school, Lane and Bingham decided to switch to the community-based program so they could do more activities together. They recently went to the movie theater to watch "Journey to the Center of the Earth" in 3-D, wearing special glasses.
Going to the movies and other activities often is free or discounted for Bigs and Littles, thanks to donations from local merchants. Garcia said a volunteer should not have to spend money unless he or she wants to. There are many activities, such as fishing, playing video games and going to the library that cost nothing.
"Our program has a huge impact on these kids," Garcia said. "We are helping change the way kids grow up in San Juan County."
Every year, Garcia asks teachers, parents and volunteers to fill out a survey to measure the impact of the program. According to local teachers surveyed during the 2006-07 school year, 64 percent of children matched with a mentor displayed an increase in self-confidence, 68 percent increased their class participation and 73 percent were less likely to demonstrate delinquent behavior.
National BBBS studies indicate that matching two children in a classroom affects the environment of the entire classroom because the children matched are better able to focus and are less likely to disrupt class.
Teachers, counselors and parents refer children to the program.
"They may be from a single-parent home or maybe they just need a little extra attention in their lives," Garcia said.
But each child is asked, "Do you want to have a big brother or big sister?" They must want to be a part of the program.
Many people are cautious about volunteering because of the time commitment, said Amy Dickson, development director for BBBS of San Juan County.
"A lot of times, a person is passionate about helping, but they have other commitments, like their own jobs and families," she said. "But really, if you think about one hour a week, its not that much at all. The impact that volunteer makes on the kids lasts a lifetime."
Lindsay Pierce is the chief photographer for The Daily Times. She can be contacted at lpierce@daily-times.com.
Want to volunteer?
Applications are available on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Juan County Web site - www.littlesneedbigs.org.
Or you can call (505) 326-1508
Want to donate?
A wish list of items ranging from office supplies to sponsorship of events is posted on the Web site www.littlesneedbigs.org.
Font Resize
