Pictured are some of the volunteers and organization members who attended the campaign kick off. Front row, from left, are Josette Rider, Barbara Hull, Jean Nelson, Wende Tucke, Trina Hoy, Anita Kishan and Lila O’Connell. In the back row are Brittany Halferty, Billy Bradberry, Susan Nobles, Laster Bogg, June Stealy and Kt Kishan. (Photo by Maggie Kenworthy)

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kosciusko County has joined a campaign to help gain more volunteers. The campaign, Shoe Can Make a Difference, is being done by the 13 different counties of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana. The campaign hopes to add 300 new volunteers into the Big Brothers Big Sisters program before the upcoming school year starts.

Kosciusko County has made it a goal to gain 100 new volunteers in the 90 day period.

The Kosciusko County Big Brothers Big Sisters kicked off the campaign with an informational presentation Tuesday, June 23. All current volunteers were invited and asked to bring along a guest to hear about the upcoming campaign. Members of the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization were in attendance, along with Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer.

“I’m happy to help,” said Thallemer, who will join in raising awareness for the Big Brothers Big Sisters campaign. “That selfless help is what makes our community and any community great.”

The campaign is simple. Different members of the organization will be wearing colorful shoes, shirts, buttons or even ties to raise awareness about the campaign. When someone approaches them and asks about their colorful attire the Big Brother Big Sister member will give them a pamphlet of information about volunteering. The goal is to start conversations in the community about mentoring.

“You really have the opportunity to have an impact on somebody’s life,” said Josette Rider, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana.

The organization is looking for two different kinds of volunteers, a community-based mentor or a site-based mentor.

Community-based mentors are matched with their Littles based on community location. These mentors meet with their Littles between two and four times a month for yearlong time periods. During these visits the mentors are encouraged to schedule fun activities for their Littles to enjoy, such as trips to the zoo or playing catch.

Site-based volunteers are matched around local schools. These school buddies meet up one hour per week during the school year. Together they can eat lunch, read or work on academics.

To become a big brother or big sister there is an application process. The first step is to fill out an application, either online or at a local Big Brothers Big Sisters office. After the application is reviewed volunteers may be asked to participate in an interview, provide references and have a background check done. According to Rider, the main reason people are denied for being a big brother or a big sister is because they are too busy.

The Kosciusko County office is located in Warsaw at 1603 N. Detroit St. Anyone interested in volunteering can stop by the office or contact Trina Hoy, community development director, at (574) 306-2178.