‘Blue-collar’ volunteers needed for Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters Service Delivery Coordinator Jeff Schafer said his group has nearly reached its goal of 30 active matches by year’s end.

“We’ve got 24 matches served so far, with four others in the works,” Schafer said. “Also, I have nine little brothers or sisters on the waiting list, with four others in the interview process.”

So far, Schafer said most of his volunteers have been middle- to upper-class white-collar residents.

“We certainly appreciate their help, but we also have a need for more blue-collar, mechanic-type people,” he said.

Each Big Brother or Big Sister is matched to a child based on a variety of factors, including gender, age and interest.

“I have one little boy right now who’s really into mechanics, so I’m looking for someone who’s a car mechanic or who is really handy,” Schafer said. “There’s a perception that you have to be a certain type of white-collar individual to be a Big Brother or Sister, and we want to disprove that.”

Volunteer Jackie Mason of Marble Falls said the group’s matching service is spot-on. She’s been spending time with her match, a 9-year-old boy, for the last several months.

“He’s got a very funny personality and he’s very, very smart,” Mason said. “I look over at him when we’re in the car, and I laugh because he’s a mirror reflection of me.”

Mason meets with her little brother four times a month.

“He loves coming over to our house to play Jenga, or going to the driving range with my husband,” she said. “He also loves going to the movies or getting dinner. He’s a great kid.”

Schafer said potential volunteers are first screened through an extensive background check, adding so far the group has served nearly 1,500 people in Central Texas.

Most of the group’s funds are through local and national grants and donations, he said. 

“The good news is, we’re fully funded for the rest of this year, and we’re in very good shape for next year,” Schafer said.

For information on volunteering for Big Brothers Big Sisters, call (512) 9099-3346 or visit www.bbbsburnet.org.

Mason said many of adult volunteers she knows wouldn’t trade their experiences for anything.

“They find out, like I have, that you get more out of it than the child,” she said.

chris@thepicayune.com