Thanks for taking me boating today! I had so much fun! I also want to thank you for
volunteering to make me happy!

Ms. Byl and classmates, the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Program is a program that makes kids like me happy, loved, and cared about.

Darryl, my big brother, was my match and we liked each other right away! We met at Tim Horton’s in March 2007. I asked him some questions, he asked me some questions, and we got to know each other. I was happy and very, very excited, because I had been waiting for 3 years to be matched up. And it finally happened! 

Our caseworker, Kelly made the meeting nice and easy. She bought me a donut, and I munched happily as I waited for my match to show up.

I was really nervous. Would Darryl like me? Would I like Darryl? For sure!!

My sister had her meeting with her new Big Sister half an hour earlier, so I watched her laugh and smile with her match and waited until I could do that with Darryl.

Darryl works on cars at Honda. He works in the engineering part of Honda and he really likes his job. Even though he is busy, he ALWAYS makes time for ME!

Some things we have done are:

-fishing

-canoeing

-swimming

-bowling

-hanging out at his house

-skating

-street hockey

-watching a movie

-mini putting

-cooking yummy cookies for my family

-and playing board games.

Darryl and I have been together for almost a year! After being with your match for 1 year you are allowed to sleepover at their house or on a planned trip away.

You can go camping, road trips, stay up late at their house, go places with them like the Science Centre, and go on hikes and stuff.

Last summer Darryl and I went to a fishing derby where we got our own fishing boat and guide. How cool is that?

We also do very fun things with our caseworker Kelly. Kelly organizes parties for holidays, like Christmas, Easter, and Halloween and sends us cards in the mail on our birthdays.

Kelly is responsible for us and makes sure we are safe.

Kelly also takes a few kids to Tim Horton’s Memorial Camp in the summer and winter. During the winter at Tim Horton’s Camp, we get to do things like:

-sleep in Jack and Jill cabins

-tobogganing

-drink yummy hot chocolate

-have late night snacks

-campfire

-and play in the gym

During the summer at Tim Horton’s Camp, we get to do things like:

-play in the gym

-campfire

-camp wide games

-boating

-water tubing

-swimming

-water basketball

-sleep in tents

-canoeing

-and stay up late.

Also, we got to go bowling for a fundraiser called “Bowl For Kids Sake.” I got to spend a night with my family, bowl (which of course I won!!!), eat cake, eat junk food and we

got t-shirts!

Kelly is really great! We all have fun with her!  At Christmas, she makes big bags of presents for ALL of us. At Halloween, we all dress up and she gives us bags of candy. Easter usually has a party too. I can’t wait!  In February we get to go to the new Recreation centre and
play a soccer game with our Big Brothers and Big Sisters against the Police. We are so going to win!!

I guess my favourite thing about Big Brothers and Big Sisters is knowing that there are people who care a lot about us.

Thank you for listening to my speech and remember...

                                         “Every person who needs a friend has a friend.”