My life is full and I still find time for our family match. I volunteer for Waterloo Regional Police, I am an active member of our camp ground in the summer, I work full-time and we have our little sister at least once a week out for some kind of an outing. So many people ask us where we find the time.....it's simple!! Don't find the time....Make the time!!! 
    We find that the easiest ways to make the schedules work are to blend them together. 
    For instance, every year I am a committee member of a local car show; Cops and Cars, held here in the Waterloo region, hosted by the Waterloo Regional Police Service. It is a one day event where they have 200 plus show cars, up to 20 different service vehicles from other neighbouring Police Services, Fire and Ambulance. We even had the army bring a tank one year. We get as much of the community involved as possible. Agencies ranging from radio, television, local car dealerships, Arthritis Society of Cambridge, Grand River Transit and of course Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cambridge are in attendance. 
    Not only is this a high male event but makes sure that people know the names and the faces associated with the agency. As once a Big Brother, then a Big Couple, now a Big Family, we know that outings are to low to no cost to the Bigs and fun for both or all of you. How much better can this be?? The admission to our show is a donation to the local food bank. This not only is low cost but it also teaches the Littles, and sometimes the Bigs, that they are "people helping people", to borrow the slogan from the Waterloo Regional Police Service. Sometimes there are people worst off then we are but we get absorbed in our day to day events and forget. 
    This is an all day event held at the Headquarters. There is a food stand that sells ham burgs and hot dogs, fries and pops, but at the same time there is plenty of room to pull up a piece of grass and have a picnic. 
    I know that our little sister looks forward to this as she is coming around to the enjoyment and the craftsmanship that has been spent on these vehicles (or its the fact that the Safety Village is open and they have battery operated Jeeps there) 
    But even though I have to "work" at the show we still have fun. She enjoys helping my daughter and I sell t-shirts and hats, and watching the canine unit demonstration. We all take our share to help out at the Big Brother Big Sister tent as well. 
    I can honestly say that when I was a Big Brother, I never thought of such an event as an outing but now that we have we frequent a few. Other ideas include Craft Shows and garage sales. Not to buy but to have time together. It's about "making" time not "finding" time. 
    Mike & Cindy, Family Match

“I’ve learned how important I can be to a child and it’s kind of shocking!  But it feels so good - the school tells me how Ashley’s practically bouncing with excitement waiting for me.  Believe me, it’s wonderful for my self esteem too.  I have total support from my workplace, which is great.  I’m apt to give everything I’ve got to my job but this gives me time for something that means a lot to me, something that provides balance in my life.”
Lorena, In-School Mentor

“Ashley has a lot of energy and it takes a lot of energy to keep up with her and sometimes that’s hard when I’m juggling three jobs.  Since her Big Sister Lorena came along she’s calmer and she’s allowed me to get closer to her.  Our relationship’s gotten much stronger.”
Michelle, Parent

“If you haven’t been a Little Brother it’s really hard to explain adequately how one person can have such a huge impact on your life.  I had my Big Brother for 3 years before he moved away - I like to think he’d be pleased that I’ve just been accepted to Med School.  Now, as an adult, I have a really busy schedule, but I received such a benefit from my Big Brother that it’s important for me to be a volunteer.  The In-School Mentoring Program is perfect for me.  My Mentee is so much like I was - too much energy, short attention span. I really understand his frustration.  We try to do things that are a bit different.  Last week we made nanaimo bars which made him very popular with his teachers.  We get closer every day - it’s an amazing experience.”
Chad, In-School Mentor & former Little Brother

“Being part of Big Bunch is a great release from school responsibilities.    I’ve really learned a lot about problem solving and leadership from our Group Mentors and I get a great feeling doing something for someone else.  We do things my Little Brother Bruce doesn’t get much chance to do.  He’s shy and this really helps him.”
Jacob, Big Bunch Member, Grade XII student

“Steven took to Craig & Linda (Big Couple) right away...which is unusual for him.  Steven has never had a man in his life.  Craig and he share a lot of interests and since they’ve been matched Steven is trying new things with them.  Steven’s self confidence has grown too.  What might seem like a small benefit to most but is a huge benefit for me is seeing the happy faces my kids have after being out with their Bigs.”
Bev, Parent

"When I received you as a Big Sister I realized how lucky I was but I never told you.  You helped me through the worst days of my life and shared the good days with me.  You are my best friend and that will never leave my heart.”
Angela, Little Sister, in what she describes
as a  “long overdue thank you”, 11 years after
being matched  with her Big Sister, Annette

“I am writing to thank you and everyone else for getting me a Big Brother, Mark.  We have lots of fun together. We have gone fishing, I’ve seen some airplanes with him, we went to the park and the beach.  Mark even came to my spring concert. I was Papa Bear.”
David, Little Brother

“Big Brothers Big Sisters gave me the learning experience of a lifetime.  They invited me to a conference in Ottawa concerning youth at risk.  This gave me the opportunity to learn something about myself that I didn’t really know.  It brought up my self-confidence and self-esteem and desire to succeed.  I was impressed by some of the programs other people were talking about.  I think programs should enhance young people’s self-esteem, giving them responsibility and trusting them to make their own judgements.  It’s like Big Brothers Big Sisters - it’s better to prevent problems than to fix them later.”
Angela, former Little Sister, delegate to Youth Partnership, Youth at Risk (1999)

“My father died when I was about 8 years old.  I knew I missed something special.  I’m retired now and have some time so I think it’s my responsibility to be a decent role model to a child.  It costs nothing but a bit of time - and it’s lots of fun!”
Alston, In-School Mentor

“Dear Big Brothers Big Sisters,
I really love my Big Sister, she is just what I always wanted in a friend that I could call my own.  She means the world to me.  I want to “Thank You” for giving me such a wonderful Big Sister.”
Angela, Little Sister