VENICE — Big Brothers Big Sisters serving Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto, Highlands, Hardee, Charlotte, Lee, Hendry, and Collier counties launches its “100 Men in 100 Days” campaign to encourage men to become a Big Brother and volunteer with the organization. The recruitment campaign comes at a good time, as 123 boys are waiting to be matched with a positive male role model.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is incredible potential. The organization makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 21 in communities across their footprint. They develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.

Mentoring is one of the most rewarding, enjoyable, and simple things a volunteer can do. Volunteers can add joy to a child’s life for as little as one hour a week, ultimately, contributing significantly to his or her potential. It Takes Little To Be Big!

Big Brother Desmond Lindsay has been mentoring Zane for 2 years. He has seen firsthand the impact a positive role model has on a child’s life. “Being a big to Zane has been an absolute joy. I was initially nervous about having such a young Little, but over the past 2 years, Zane and I have become inseparable. From asking silly questions to always being excited about something, no matter how small, being Zane’s Big Brother has shown me the tremendous impact joining the Big Brothers Big Sisters program can have on a child’s life… just by being present.”

Research shows that having the positive influence of a “Big” makes a real difference in a child’s life. “Littles” experience improvements in academic performance, behavior, and relationships at home and elsewhere, according to independent studies.

To learn more, or to become a Big and contribute greatly to a child’s potential, please call 855-501-BIGS (2447), or visit bbbssun.org.