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"Spending time with my Little Brother is easy. Stuff I’d do anyway is more fun with him."

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In our lives, each of us shared an important connection with someone who broadened our horizons and brought a little magic into our lives.

It was the person who taught you to throw that perfect spiral, or sat in the front row to cheer you on, even when it was embarrassing. These are the little moments that Big Brothers and Big Sisters experience every day.

These real life stories are just a few of the ways Big Brothers Big Sisters is changing lives and communities forever.

Imitation is the Highest Form of Flattery: 2009 Big Brother of the Year

2009 Big Brother of the Year, Ben, and his Little, Anthony.

“Every time we are together, I have the opportunity to practice patience, love and tolerance, and I am humbled by this role,” Ben says. “Every time I drop him off after an outing, he thanks me, which makes me feel 10-ft tall, even if for just a moment.”

To the Edges of the Earth: 2009 Big Sister of the Year

Introducing the 2009 Big Sister of the Year Debbie and her Little sister of 10 years, Jocelyn

Debbie and Jocelyn recently celebrated being matched for 10 wonderful years. Jocelyn has been inspired by her Big Sister to follow her dreams, to explore far off lands, and reach high. In return, Debbie is awestruck by her Little's progress: "I’m very proud of her and can see the potential in her as she continues to mature and I look forward to our lifetime of friendship.”

Paul and Victor Join the Club

Big Brother (and Board Member) Paul and his Little Brother Victor

"I know that I am a better person and father for having had him in my life and for that I am truly grateful,” says Big Brother, advocate, donor and agency Board Member Paul.

Lori finds an Angel

Big Sister Lori and her Little Sister Angel

Not only does Big Sister Lori provide such amazing support to her Little Sister Angel ... she wants to do more and inspire everyone to become involved. As she says, “Big Brothers Big Sisters has allowed me and those around me to witness what volunteering can do for everyone."

Big Brother John and Little Brother Travion

2008 Big Brother of the Year, Lloyd, and his Little, Chris, sail through their time together.

Big Brother John has motivated his Little BrotherTravion to rise above and make a positive impact on the lives of others. John's life has been enriched by the experience as well, saying "I never fully understood how beneficial it was to the person being philanthropic."

"He's always happy to be there for me"

2008 Big Brother of the Year, Lloyd, and his Little, Chris, sail through their time together.

Mentoring Chris has "totally changed my opinion of what volunteering is," says 2008 Big Brother of Year, Lloyd.

For Zoro the Drummer, a Life Transformed by Mentoring

Former Little Zoro is now an accomplished drummer, and he credits the mentoring of his Big for his success.

Through Big Brothers Big Sisters, Zoro says, “a great many lives have been positively impacted, mine among them, demonstrating how seeds sown in love will bear fruit for subsequent generations. None of my success would be possible without the vision of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.”

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Introducing the 2008 Big Sister of the Year

2008 Big Sister of the Year, Miriam, and her Little, Arleth, enjoy spending time and reading together.

Since meeting eight years ago, 2008 Big Sister of the Year Miriam and Little Sister Arleth have had amazing adventures together and have become great friends. And we have the video to prove it!

A 'Little' Star is Born

Big Brother Rob and Little Brother Tony play basketball together

"I think if Tony said he wanted to walk on the moon Rob would try and make it happen,” says Little Brother Tony's mother of Big Brother Rob.

Little Brother Russell Lands in College

Big Brother Mario and Little Brother Russell, both first in their families to go to college.

Seeing how successful Mario is has inspired Russell to raise his expectations. He has stayed in school, graduated, and just finished his Freshman year in college.

An Unbelievable Big Brother

Big Brother and Former March Madness start Raymond Felton and Little Brother Rikky

NBA Star scores both on and off the court.

Dennis Begins It All and Now Leads It All

Former Big Brother Henry and former Little, and now CEO of BBBS Hawaii, Dennis

Forty years ago, Dennis was the very first Little Brother in the entire state of Hawaii. Dennis used that experience to grow into quite a leader, now serving as the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu.

Are you Big enough to be a kid again?

Big Sister Annette and Little Sister Hannah

One day Annette was walking down the hallway of a local school and noticed this beautiful little girl walking past her. How did she come to be in this school? Well, we’re glad you asked. It seems that Annette had found herself with some free time (later we’ll share how this happened). She wanted to fill up this time by having some fun and helping someone else. So what did she do? And how did this happen? Well …

Bryon and Edward Blow it Up

Big Brother Byron and Little Brother Edward

Byron wanted to get involved in personally helping a young person succeed. So he came to the best place he could think of, Big Brothers Big Sisters (but you knew that) and signed up. Byron wound up being matched with Edward as part of our site based program. And that led to Byron teaching Edward to Blow It Up (as odd as that sounds for Big Brothers Big Sisters activity).

Little Brother Frank Found More Than a Friend — He Found His Potential

Big Brother Michael and Little Brother Frank

There was a time when Frank never would have seen himself going to college. Never would have had the dreams he has today. What made the difference? The encouragement, guidance and friendship of Michael, his Big Brother through the school-based mentoring program.

For Marj and Sandra, Sisterhood is Powerful … and Fun!

When Big Sisters Marj and her Little Sister Sandra Get Together, the Cool and the Fun Never Stops

“At first I thought I’d just be helping some girl,” says Marj, “but now I feel like Sandra really is my sister. I feel so lucky that she’s in my life. Now when people ask me how long I plan to be a Big Sister, I tell them ‘Forever!’

A Hobby that’s Timeless, a Friendship that’s Ageless

Big Brother Wilbur and Little Brother Cole

Wilbur was 79 when he volunteered to be a Big Brother. It wasn’t long before he found out there was a third-grader looking for someone just like him — someone who could help him “build stuff.” For five wonderful years, that’s what Wilbur and Little Brother have been doing: building birdhouses, building toys, and building a friendship that means an awful lot to both of them.

Crystal Rivera is our 2007 Big Sister of the Year!

2007 Big Sister of the Year Crystal and her Little Sister Ariana

“We just do the things other sisters do,” says Big Sister Crystal of her relationship with Little Sister Ariana Melendez, “like shopping, dinner, movies and just having fun.” It sounds like such a simple formula! But when you look at what a difference their friendship has made in Ariana, who has gained so much happiness and confidence in their three years together, it becomes “crystal clear” that this Big Sister is something special.

Chuck Matthews, 2007 Big Brother of the Year

2007 Big Brother of the Year Chuck Matthews and his Little Brother Rico

Rico Johnson is happy his Big Brother Chuck has received the Big Brother of the Year award. But he didn’t need anyone else to tell him how special his Big Brother is. For years Rico lacked confidence because he felt no one believed in him. Chuck came into his life and told him “you should expect more from yourself — I do.” Confidence is contagious and now Rico figures there’s nothing he can’t do!

Kellan and Richard learn the FUN-damentals of School-Based Mentoring!

Big Brother Kellan and his Little Brother Richard take time out of the school day to spend time together.

Richard needed a good male role model in his life. He found one in Big Brother Kellan, who spends a fun hour with him every week. Today Richard is doing better in school and feeling much better about himself. They have a great time together, and Kellan loves seeing all the progress Richard has made. “He is a natural leader!” Kellan says.

"He is my brother."

Big Brother CJ and His Little Brother Marton enjoy playing basketball together.

From special class to head of the class, from high school to graduate school, Big Brother CJ and Little Brother Marton have been helping each other hit the books, but both have learned more than reading, writing, and arithmetic. They have learned to be brothers.

"Being a Big Brother is a Powerful Thing"

Big Brother Pablo and his Little Brother Jose

It's hard to look at 15-year-old Jose and imagine him 10 years ago. And it's even harder to see this smiling, confident young man, and know all the tough times he's been through. What got Jose through? One big factor was just knowing he had a friend he could count on: his Big Brother Pablo, his Big Brother for a decade - and his friend forever.

The Best Way to Honor a Mentor … Is to Be a Mentor!

Big Brother Dennis and Little Brother Maurice from BBBS Greater Cleveland

Nothing makes Big Brother Dennis more proud than when he hears his Little Brother, Maurice, say that when he grows up, he wants to be a mentor, too!

“Just the right time” for a friend

Carlos and Ray

Ray knew he was at a crossroads, and the choices he made would affect his life.

“The Best Big Brother Anyone Could Hope For!”

Big Brother Matt and his Little Brother Anthony

For Anthony, the first step was learning to trust his new Big Brother Matt … the second step was learning to trust himself, and all he could do. Today Anthony says “I can do anything with my life,” and Matt believes it, too. He’s seen the changes in his Little Brother!

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