I was matched with my Big Brother Jack at a very young age of 7. Jack would take me bowling, ride horses, ATV on his brother’s farm, take me to air shows,monthly
shopping trips to the Pop Shop, hockey and baseball games and on and on.
Jack was always there when I needed him. I was very shy and he helped
me come out of my shell. I spent at least one day a week with Jack, usually a
Friday or Saturday - during baseball and hockey season he spent more time
with me as he drove me to the games and practices. I remember telling
everyone he was my actual my dad. I was a bit embarrassed to tell people
I didn’t have a dad; it really gave me the feeling of being a lonely,
fatherless kid that needed charity. I have learned since then, it was my own
insecurities that led me to feeling this way. In my teens I started to see Jack less and less as I was spending all my time with my friends. I’m sure Jack realized this was normal but I still regret to this day not staying as close as we once were. We did however re-connect in my 30’s and we saw each other 2-3 times per year until the day he died. I miss Jack dearly. Jack changed the way I looked at life....he set an example for me and showed me what a few hours a week will do for a child. Jack was a very giving person. His life was devoted to his family and to volunteering. He is a man I look up to and mimic in my everyday life. I now have two boys ages 10 & 12 and a very caring wife. They are the meaning of my life. How lucky am I to have had someone caring enough to come into my life at a very early age and open my eyes to endless possibilities. I intend on becoming a Big Brother when my kids are a bit older, so I too, can make a difference in the life of a child. I know first hand it doesn’t take very much to make an impact on someone’s life. -Kevin, Little Brother

 

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