Annette & Shantell
This program has had a major impact on my life and on my family. My Big Sister, Annette, has done so much for me. Before I was matched with her, I was miserable and wanted to get out of the house and have some fun. When I found out about the program, I talked my mom into signing me up because I wanted a friend that I could have fun with and talk to. After I sent in the application, I had an interview and then a Big Sister in the same week. I was blown away at how fast I got a Big Sister and just the fact in general that we had so much in common.

Annette and I have talked about guys and school and shopping and we both love to just have fun. There are a few activities that we have grown to enjoy doing together that we try to do as often as possible. For instance we both love to go bowling and paint ceramics. Every year we try to help out at the auction just so we can get dressed up and see all the wonderful outfits. If it wasn’t for Annette, I might not have figured out what I want to do with my life and how to manage money and many other things. She tells me all the time that I have taught her a lot as well, and that her life wouldn’t be the same without me.

So I know that this program works by giving a child a role model that is interested in a lot of the same things. Many times Annette has been there for me when nobody else was. I have been there for her many times as well. A couple of years ago, she went through a painful divorce and she may not have talked about it a lot but she told me that it would have been hard to go through everything without me. I did whatever I could to cheer her up and help her have fun. So I know first hand that this program works. She is one of the best things in my life and I thank you for that. Because I know that my life would not be the same if she wasn’t in it.

I appreciate everything that the program has done for me and my family. Not only has having a Big Sister impacted my life but the lives of my family members. I plan on being a Big Sister in the program a couple of years from now because I want to have the same impact on someone else’s life as it has had on mine. I am honestly proud to say that I am a part of this program because of all the wonderful people that have helped me by giving me a Big Sister.