written in by Board member, Steve

Every September, my local Big Brothers Big Sisters plays a softball game with the City Police Service and the local provincial police detachments as part of our Big Brothers Big Sister Month celebration. What would a softball game be without hot dogs?  So, of course, we provide a BBQ for everyone to enjoy.

I remember one year there was one Little Brother, Tyler (and he was little), and he kept coming back and forth for more hot dogs, I thought he must have had a hollow leg.  After about the fifth return trip to the BBQ I jokingly asked him, "Where are you putting all of those hot dogs?". He became a little embarassed and kind of hung his head and looked away. He then mumbled something that I could not understand so I said it was OK and asked him to repeat what he had said. He looked up at me and he innocently said, "I am putting the hot dogs in a bag over there so that I can take them home for my sisters' supper." 

I was totally taken off-guard. Tyler then led me over to his knapsack and pulled out a plastic grocery bag containing the hot dogs and two bags of potato chips. Again he looked up at me and for a moment I didn't know what to say. I could feel myself being overcome by emotion and the pride that I had for this unselfish and giving young man. While trying to remain composed, I told Tyler to grab his knapsack and we headed back to the BBQ.

Once at the BBQ I asked him to open up the grocery bag so he slowly pulled out the bag a began to reach in to take out the hot dogs. I said, "Hey, Tyler I think we need to fill that bag up with some fresh hot dogs!" Once again, he looked up at me but this time his face lit up with the biggest smile I have ever seen. We filled the bag up with the hot dogs and I then drove him home. We chatted all the way home and when we arrived at his house, he grabbed the bag and raced to the door.

I followed him to the door just in time to see him dishing out the loot to his sisters (one older and one younger). For the last time that night, he turned his head around and looked up at me and said, "Thanks for everything!" That was all that was said. On this night, it was the Little who led by example and was the positive role model. This was an experience that I will never forget.

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