Volunteering is fun when you bowl for the kids

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anthony Nelson Jr
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Big Brothers Big Sisters offers many different program options for our youth. Any child in the Otero County area who wants and could benefit from a relationship with a caring volunteer may become a "Little Brother" or "Little Sister" in the various local programs, but this program is unique. They have a special section dedicated to unique "Big's". The unique "Big's" are U.S. Air Force Members that are also players on the Alamogordo Semi-pro football team the Alamogordo Desert Dawgs, stationed at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States. They have been the leader in one-to-one youth service for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors children, ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country -- including yours. 

The Big Brothers Big Sisters Mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth. Bowl for Kids Sake is one of those events that can impact a life. According to Karenanne Graves "one of the best ways to help children reach there full potential is having a familiar face around." "We even have Air Force members who play on the Alamogordo Desert Dawgs, which adds to there community involvement and being a positive role model by serving there community and country." said Karenanne.

"Having the opportunity to mentor kids, who usually don't have the opportunity to see a positive role model in their life, is a life changing experience." said Technical Sergeant Derek Lee, 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron and Alamogordo Desert Dawgs football player. Big Brothers Big Sisters partnered with 1-800-flowers.com to bring together Bowl for Kids Sake at Holloman Air Force Base desert lanes which brought the local sponsors and volunteers together under one roof.

The Alamogordo Desert Dawgs were in the house [Bowling Alley] with 13 military members from the team supporting the event. "We have prior Air Force, active duty Air Force, and a handful of Air Force dependents here representing the Dawgs." said Airman 1st Class Andre Powell, 49th Comptroller Squadron and Desert Dawgs wide receiver. Being in the military in and of itself is very demanding and can be exhausting at times, but according to TSgt Lee "The community involvement and positive image it receives from the military, promotes healthy relationships with the community and fellow Airmen."

Big Brothers Big Sisters offers unique program specific to Otero County's youth. One of them is an after school program specifically for military children at Holloman Intermediate School. This program helps children with social issues; separation anxiety, parent's temporary duty assignments and deployment's. Another program Big Brothers Big Sisters has is a 2nd language program. They match Big's with Little's who have English as a 2nd Language; which is specific to Alamogordo and Holloman because of its Hispanic culture and dialect.

Why is Big Brothers Big Sisters so near and dear to TSgt Lee? "To volunteer is one thing, but to volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters and help assist in making sure [the program] has the funds, through the means of raising money for Bowl for Kids Sake. The money is used to support [the program] activities and supplies for children and adults, the money is also used to assist in background checks and other [program] requirements are very touching and a sense of accomplishment to me." Karenanne Graves has been a Big for 7 years and employed by the organization since October 2007. She said "the Active lifestyle of being in the military, their involvement with sports, a healthy lifestyle, team work tactics, and Air Force Core Values are great examples to the Little's and the Big's.

If you would like to be apart of Big Brothers Big Sisters you can apply online at http://www.bbbs-otero.org/aboutus/index.php. In addition you can also call your local Otero County Big Brothers Big Sisters office and speak with Karenanne Graves at 575-551-6412. You can also fill out an application for your children to be a Big or Little. Most people think the program is just geared toward troubled kids but according to Karenanne [It's about] "Being a friend to help kids see the positives' in life."