Though Malachi and I are in our sixth year together, we each seem to remember everything we have done.  And we have done a lot.  We have our mainstays.  In the winter, ice skating and sledding, roller skating and ping pong and pool in the basement of the firehouse. It is remarkable to see how fast he has progressed on the ice and roller rink.  We used to be able to play tag on the ice and the roller rink, but his skills have long ago exceeded mine so that now I have no hope of ever catching him.  In the summer, spring and fall we like to take in car shows, but are most often outside playing with some kind of ball: golf, basketball, wiffle ball, baseball, football, tennis, lacrosse and juggling balls.  Add in long toss frisbee and frisbee golf.  We ride bikes at Thacher Park including the dirt mogul course there. (Attached is a picture of Malachi catching some air on the course.)  Recently we have spent time at the Albany skateboard park where Malachi rides his BMX bike and scooter and is teaching himself how to skateboard.  (I mess around with the scooter and try not to hurt myself.) Mixed in with all this action are some more sedate activities: shows at Proctors, Monster Jam at the Times Union Center, high school basketball championships in Glens Falls, baking pretzels and pizza and board and card games at my house. 

I volunteered for BBBS partially because camp counselor was my favorite job.  And because I believe that the easiest way to improve the world is if we each just help one person in a small way. If I can do that while tossing a ball or ice skating, even better.  Because of the great job BBBS did in matching Malachi and me, we bonded pretty quickly.  I miss him during the weeks we are unable to get together.  I have said from the start that some weeks I think I am getting more out of this than Malachi.  I can’t put it into words exactly, but it is a good feeling.  

Grow Something Big is all about celebrating the life-changing impact of mentoring and bringing that opportunity to more kids throughout the Capital Region. We can all think of mentors who've helped us grow into the people we are today. Where would you be without that person? Some communities don't have acces to an information network of mentors. That's where you come in. You can bring caring mentors into children's lives. Mentors help them think about their futures, making healthy choices, and having positive relationships. When you make a donation of any size, it changes lives. 

$15 - pays to bring a child to and from the Site-Based Program to see their college-aged mentors

$25 - interview of one child and their parent

$50 - state and federal backgrouned check for one volunteer

$100 - volunteer recruitment efforts

$250 - full enrollment of one volunteer