Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving children facing adversities by helping them form relationships with people who they can admire. Students and faculty at Seward County Community College/Area Technical School are involved as “Bigs” or mentors in the organization. “We enjoy the interaction, the ‘Little’ really look up to the college students,” said Kerry Seibel, who is the executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Seward, Haskell and Stevens counties. Students can become “Bigs” who are paired with “Littles.” According to Seibel there are more than 30 “Littles” on the local waiting list. Big Brothers Big Sisters is the largest mentoring organization of its kind in the state of Kansas. It is also one of the most widespread organizations internationally. Over the last few years the involvement between Big Brothers Big Sisters and the college has increased. Students, coaches and faculty members have all been involved with the organization, according to Seibel. Clubs, organizations and athletic teams at SCCC/ATS are also participating with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Recently Phi Theta Kappa and the Saints baseball team hosted activities with the organization. Seibel stated that she is pleased that many organizations from SCCC/ATS are involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters. “It’s beneficial on both ends,” Seibel said about the interactions that the college and the program have. Last Saturday members of PTK attended a screening of “Hotel Transylvania” with children in Big Brothers Big Sisters. Earlier in the semester the Saints baseball team took a group of children swimming at Adventure Bay Waterpark. PTK also hosted a picnic at Light Park Sept. 29 for children in Big Brothers Big Sisters and for children on the waiting list. On the evening of Sept. 30, the Saints baseball team met with a group of children in the organization for a night of fishing. “It doesn’t just benefit a child, it benefits everyone,” “Big” and Advising Coordinator Patsy Fischer said. Fischer is a faculty member that has a “Little” in the program. Fischer has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters for more than a year now. “I like to support anything that supports our youth,” Fischer said. Fischer goes to the waterpark with her “Little” and she also attends sporting events that her “Little” is involved in. The Big Brothers Big Sisters vision is that “All children achieve success in life.” The organization aspires to help children who are less fortunate than others by partnering them with people who they can admire and be mentored by. A recent study, conducted by a third party, Harris Interactive, that surveyed 200 adult “Littles” alumni of the organization, measured the impact of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Ninety percent of the former “Littles” that were surveyed stated “their Big made them feel better about themselves.” Currently, less than a dozen students at SCCC/ATS are “Bigs” in the program. Seibel said, “It inspires kids to be more when they have a ‘Big.’” Some activities between “Littles” and “Bigs” include going out to a movie, watching a game, getting ice cream, playing basketball or working on homework together. According to Seibel, people who can interact with a child at least 30 minutes a week make a huge difference in their lives. Students and faculty are recommended to join Big Brothers Big Sisters if they have an interest in helping children, but clubs and organizations at the college can also volunteer. “College students that have been with us have felt rewarded,” Seibel said. Big Brothers Big Sisters has subprograms like “Bigs in Schools” where “Bigs” mentor children with school work and related issues. By volunteering and working with Big Brothers Big Sisters, people can receive job references, community service hours and other benefits. People who apply to be a “Big” must go through a screening process. Students or faculty members who would like to join Big Brothers Big Sisters as a “Big” or request more information about the organization, can call the local Big Brothers Big Sisters office at 620-624-9000.