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BBBS a hit at Fairchild

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kali L. Gradishar
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Children need role models, people they can admire and look to for answers to some of life's complicated questions. Children need support, compassion and a kind companion. All of these things can be found in a Big Brother or Big Sister who volunteers with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Northwest.

Fairchild makes up a good portion of volunteers for the Inland Northwest program and was recently recognized because of their support when Chief Master Sergeant Paul Sikora, 92nd Air Refueling Wing command chief, received the Community Partner of the Year Award on behalf of Team Fairchild Nov. 6.

"Last year there were 24 volunteers in the school-based and traditional programs from Fairchild," said Keith O'Brien, BBBS of the Inland Northwest community development associate. "We have 32 active volunteers currently and 17 of them are in the school-based program."

Working through Michael Anderson Elementary School here, the BBBS program reached out to Fairchild children hoping to install an extra idol into the life of a child, but BBBS also obtains volunteers for the traditional program and has been doing so for many years.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has been at Fairchild since the inception of the school-based program, but has had mentors since Big Brothers Big Sisters began in 1965, said Mr. O'Brien.

And they continue to make a difference today.

"Teachers say the children seem to have better days and look forward to their Big Brothers and Sisters coming," said Cheryl Stitt, Michael Anderson Elementary School counselor. "They are really making a difference in their lives."

But the effort doesn't stop there. There will always be a child looking for someone to provide the consistency and support they need but may not find elsewhere. The BBBS of the Inland Northwest strives to ensure every child has the same opportunity.

"Our vision is to provide a Big Brother or Big Sister to everyone who needs one and wants one, and we thought that Fairchild would be a good place to do that," Mr. O'Brien said.

Team Fairchild received the Community Partner of the Year Award for many reasons, essentially because of the dedication and enthusiasm with the program.

"Fairchild is the biggest source of volunteers for programs in the Inland Northwest," said Mr. O'Brien. "Fairchild received the award because of the people. Not only do they serve their country on duty, they also serve off the clock. We just wanted to recognize how they go above and beyond to serve our country."

To add on to the successes the base has already experienced with the program, members of Team Fairchild may become a volunteer by contacting Mrs. Stitt at 565-3604. Anyone may volunteer by contacting BBBS at 328-8310.