“If you want to start a fire, you don’t have to light a whole box of matches. You only have to light one.” Coach Tony Dungy, The Main Event 2016 Keynote Speaker
Big Sister Lori Lockhart reflects on her time as a Big Sister after graduating from our program in May 2016. And in her own words, Lori shares with you why she is supporting BBBSCI on Giving Tuesday this year. Lori is the second Big in a series of upcoming blog posts we have for you about why Bigs support BBBSCI – be on the look out for more guest blogs in the days leading up to November 29.
Former Big Sister, Bigs Task Force Member: Lori Lockhart
Little Sister: RayeVan
Match Date: August 2011
Graduation from BBBSCI program: May 2016
“Becoming a part of Big Brother Big Sisters has truly been one of the best decisions I have made in my life. When I graduated from college, I had a job that kept me occupied nearly seven days a week. After a lot of hard work, I received a promotion and no longer had to work on the weekends. I thought to myself, ‘What on earth am I going to do with all this free time?’ In retrospect, time wasn’t hard to fill, but I was glad at that point in life, I just wanted to get involved with the community in a BIG way.
My roommate at the time had mentioned that her boyfriend was involved in BBBSCI. I wasn’t sure what the program entailed, but he seemed to enjoy his time with his Little Brother so I decided to apply and see what came of it. After just a few short months, I was being summoned to the BBBSCI office to meet and greet with my future little sister, RayeVan.
We exchanged numbers and quickly after we started to text and plan our first day together. We both loved the pool so we decided to go to the Monon Center and explore the wave pools and water slides. After a few, awkward, yet enjoyable hours, we parted ways, not sure what the future looked like.
It wasn’t long before RayeVan was my little sister I never had. She was involved with my family, and I with hers. Everything from school graduations, to cookouts, movies and shopping trips, we were finding ways to fit each other into most of the important things we did.
But it wasn’t all fun and games. Real lessons evolved from our friendship and we would discuss school, manners, money, how to dress and act in public, what the future would look like, dreams and aspirations.
It wasn’t long before August 10th, 2011 turned to May 18th, 2016 and my sassy 7th grader was graduating from Herron High School. I cried as I saw her walk across the stage and I knew an era had come to an end for RayeVan and I, but now a new chapter, a true friendship had emerged that would last the rest of our lives.
RayeVan has made me strive to be the best person I can be every day, and I am so thankful that she came into my life.
I give to BBBSCI so that other matches can have the same experiences RayeVan and I did!”
Light one match by making a gift on #GivingTuesday. Your contribution will help us match more local boys and girls with caring mentors. Visit giveBig.bebigforkids.org to donate and learn more. Share your own mentoring story with friends and family on social media using #lightonematch.