Big Brothers, Big Sisters encourages Oxford County to ignite a spark

As part of the Spark Campaign run by Big Brothers Big Sisters Oxford County, participating businesses will use décor to Turn the Town Teal. (Liz Wismer-Vanmeer photo)

Emily Stewart, Echo Correspondent

Big Brothers, Big Sisters Oxford County plans to Turn the Town Teal and spark mentorship opportunities and memories with their Spark Campaign.

Oxford County residents can either participate in the Spark campaign by donating in honour of a mentor, mentoring a young person, and sharing stories about life-changing mentors in their own lives. Current volunteers with the organization are also encouraged to share their mentoring experience. The Spark Campaign will take place in September, which is also Big Brothers, Big Sisters month.

"We want people to see the Spark campaign and be able to coordinate that with Big Brothers Big Sisters, but we really want people to help us in keeping the spark going throughout the community,” said Liz Wismer-Vanmeer, communications manager.

Big Brothers, Big Sisters connects volunteer mentors to children and youth through their 108 member agencies to more than 1,100 communities across Canada and has since 1912. The mentorship program provides positive role models for youth so they can overcome barriers. The Oxford County chapter is looking for more mentorship matches, especially as there is a waiting list for youth who need a mentor.

"Sometimes we don't realize the impact that mentorship had on our lives,” Wismer-Vanmeer said. “I think that every person can think of somebody, at least one person, whether it's family, a friend, a teacher, a coach, was a mentor to Big Brothers, Big Sisters or another program, you can think of somebody in your life who got you to where you are today and gave you that bit of encouragement or whatever that might look like."

She added that some people feel overwhelmed with the idea of mentoring, and if they have time to do so. However, there are lots of ways to get involved. For example, a mentor can spend their lunch break mentoring youth at their school for just an hour a week.

"Mentorship through Big Brothers, Big Sisters can seem daunting to some folks because they might think, this is a commitment I have to make. That’s every week I'm meeting with this person. It's a few hours a week,” she explained. "It can be a little overwhelming, we realize that. Most folks who have been mentoring will be the first to tell you that it’s actually not nearly as much as they expect it to be, but we also want people to know that there are multiple opportunities to get involved as a mentor."

Participating businesses will be Turning the Town Teal as part of the Spark Campaign by decorating their spaces with teal décor to represent Big Brothers, Big Sisters. The businesses will hand out affirmation cards with positive messages and will have their own Spark initiatives as well. The Oxford County chapter will also celebrate Big Brothers Big Sisters Day on Sept. 18.

The organization will also have a 50/50 draw running from Sept. 1 to 30, with a draw on Oct. 1. Tickets can be purchased online starting Sept. 1, at https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/bbbs-oxfordcounty.

More information about the Spark Campaign can be found online by visiting https://oxford.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/what-we-do/the-spark-campaign.