News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By LeRae Haynes

This is a great time to sign up as a Big Brother in Williams Lake. Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director Lorraine Levitt states that they have a real need for men to step forward and get involved. 

('Big Brother' Hugh Armstrong enjoyed time with his 'Little Brother' Sheldon this afternoon, along with Teddy and Taffy the retrievers.)

“We have quite a few boys anxiously waiting and hoping for a match,” she said. "Boys have a much higher percentage of success when they have a significant man in their lives when they’re young, and we’ve seen this be an extremely positive thing for both the ‘Bigs’ and the ‘Littles.’”

Hugh Armstrong has been a Big Brother in Williams Lake for several years. “When we first moved to Williams Lake from Mackenzie, we didn’t really know anyone. We had left behind a lot of friends who were younger than us who had kids. I was used to being around kids and found that I missed it,” he said. “I saw the sign for Big Brothers Big Sisters and walked in and said, ‘Lend me a kid.’”

He said that he and his wife signed up originally as a couple, and that he is now signed up as a Big Brother. He added that in the years he’s been involved with the organization, he has been ‘paired’ with three kids.

“This isn’t anything like a sacrifice,” he said. “First of all, you sit down and have a meeting in the office and talk about your interests and what you like to do—it’s a ‘compatibility’ meeting.” 

He said that some of the things he’s enjoyed doing with his ‘Little Brothers’ are kite flying, boating, fishing, walking the family gold retrievers and playing croquet and board games. “We worked together building a snow plow frame and a roof rack—projects that we both enjoy,” he continued. “You do what you both like to do.”

He also that that there are outings where everybody in BBBS (Big Brothers Big Sisters) gets together for things like bowling to winter tubing at 108 House or ice fishing on Chimney Lake

Hugh has also been a Scout Leader, and said that one of the great things about BBBS is that it’s flexible. “With programs like Scouts you have to be at an event at a strict time, and that doesn’t always work for shift workers,” he explained. “This is something that works around your life, your interests and your schedule.”

Hugh’s current ‘Little Brother’ is 15 years old and has been matched with Hugh for almost a year. He said that he and Sheldon meet several times a month, and added that they like to do the same kinds of things. 

“What’s satisfying about this is that you’re fulfilling something that he needs,” he noted. “Sometimes you do things like work on a vehicle or build something: doing stuff like you would with a dad.”

He said that Sheldon is fun to be with, that they enjoy each other’s company and that their time together is something they both look forward to. “This isn’t ‘giving something up.’ You take what you like to do and make it even more fun by doing it with someone else.”

Hugh explained that he has recruited two other guys to be Big Brothers. ‘“Giving away free kids’, I call it,” he said. “It’s the perfect thing for the right guy. If you like kids, want someone fun to do stuff with and want to make a difference in both your lives forever, this would be something for you.”

To find out how you can sign up for Big Brothers Big Sisters in Williams Lake, phone 250-398-8391

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