A Legacy of Friendship
In 1999, the Vancouver Sun published a story about Racy Sidhu and his volunteer “Big Brother” Randy Soon. At the time, Randy and Racy were celebrating almost 20 years of friendship. Today, their friendship continues, and Randy, an insurance adviser, encourages his clients to leave a legacy through charitable bequests.
Racy was only 12 years old when he was first introduced to his Big Brother Randy. Racy was living with his widowed mom and two sisters in South Vancouver – an area that, at the time, was known for gang activity.
“I lived in a very tough neighbourhood,” explained Racy. “A lot of the people that I grew up with and played with, they ended up on drugs or getting shot.” That’s when Racy’s mother enrolled her son in Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver’s mentoring program.
In 1980, children often waited months and sometimes years to be matched with a Big Brother volunteer – a situation that is still common today due to a lack of volunteers and funding. Racy was beginning to lose hope when Randy was finally introduced to him.
“Randy became part of our family,” said Racy’s mom, Mohinder. “They live just like brothers. With Randy [by Racy’s side], I was not scared.”
Today, Racy, who is a father of three, recognizes the incredible gift that was given to him through Randy and donors who support charities like Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver.
In addition to the guidance and friendship that he has provided to Racy over the last 36 years, Randy is leaving another legacy by bequeathing his insurance policy to United Way of the Lower Mainland, which provides grants to non-profits such as Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver. Randy encourages anyone who is interested in leaving a charitable legacy to speak to a financial adviser about different gift options, including estate and life insurance bequests. He knows first-hand what a huge difference it can make.
“A lot of the people that I grew up with and played with, they ended up on drugs or getting shot.”
RACY SIDHU