Big Brothers, Big Sisters help kids on West Island

The Big Brothers and Big Sisters of West Island has been around since 1975. They make a palpable difference in the community and in the lives of so many people.

A fundraising spaghetti dinner was held for the association in Kirkland on April 9. The 130 or so guests were greeted to tables lined with cutlery, baskets of bread, green and white balloons and smiling faces all around. The event was organized by Beaconsfield resident Rhonda Massad.

“I’m on the board (of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of West Island) so I wanted to do something to celebrate the volunteers we have that work tirelessly with the children. I believe that every time we help a child we help our community,” she said.

“I look at it from a personal perspective, I am mother of three and a grandmother of one. I pray that if ever something were to happen to me, the community would step up and volunteer for my family. My kids are lucky but what if they weren’t?”

In 1998, the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the West Island launched an elementary inschool mentoring program.

They also receive funding from Centraide and West Island Community Shares as well as fundraising throughout the year.

“Having been a big brother myself, helping this young man filled my heart so much,” said Benoit Langevin, a city councillor candidate in PierrefondsRoxboro. “The Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the West Island is an important organization because we have an epidemic of empty houses here.”

“Between 4-6 p.m. where are the parents? They are either at work or stuck in traffic on the way home.

“There are a lot of kids who are home alone. Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the West Island provides an important backup plan.”

They are currently in search of approximately 60 Big Brothers.

They are experiencing a shortage in male mentors.

Communities are not built with magic wands, they are built with the efforts of everyday people.

They are built by people who care enough to sacrifice their precious time and make the effort to get to know their neighbours, volunteer, mentor a child and pay it forward.

Local business owners and vendors graciously donated some incredible prizes including flower delivery, gym memberships, restaurant vouchers, oil changes and even an Xbox.

While attendees mingled and munched away on their pasta dinner, winning raffle numbers were called out and everyone cheered along.

It was a great night with great food for an even better cause; supporting the future generation of the West Island.