*** Bigs of the Year ***

It is our honor to work with wonderful volunteers who give of themselves, their time, their talents, their resources. They don't ask--or expect--anything in return. All of our volunteers are BIG winners in their own way, and every year we like to highlight some of the amazing friendships they've formed as a volunteer. We call them 'Bigs of the Year'.

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Tampa Bay’s Big Brother of the Year -- 2009

Michael Martinet

Written by Michael Martinet

It doesn’t seem right trying to explain the impact this relationship has had on me because this relationship wasn’t supposed to be about me.  It was about bringing light and love into a young boy’s life, a boy who had grown more accustomed to darkness and desertion. If the match has had an impact on me, it would have to be that it’s driven me to ask the deeper questions:  What does love look like? Is it stopping for ice cream on the way home, or saying no because he’s had enough junk food?  Is it giving him what he wants or what you think is good for him? Rarely have these questions hit me harder than they did during one of our first outings together – a trip to the ball park that I’ll never forget.

It was a Spring Training game for the Cleveland Indians. We ended up in the bleachers behind right-center field. This was great for Gabriel as he was more interested in climbing up the bleachers anyway. This was not so great for everyone else as Gabriel showed little regard for other people’s personal space. Things got worse. It turned into an on-going battle between an 8-year-old who was unwilling to follow my rules and me, who was feeling a little helpless. At one time, I felt a tug on my hand, and looked down in time to see it being pulled toward a gaping mouth, teeth bent on destruction. It was at this point that I realized we needed a time out, so after 30 seconds of hearing about what a mean awful person I was, I dragged him the rest of the way through the parking lot.

It’s times like these that taught me that love isn’t always a 2-hour Hallmark movie, that whatever confidence I had in my ability to pacify those who have experienced a little extra hardship in life was a false confidence fueled by naiveté. The impact that this relationship has had on me is that it has opened my eyes. It’s taught me that love doesn’t just please, it persists. It perseveres. It moves you into situations where there’s no “easy button,” and it carries you through. It’s taught me that growth is on the other side of hardship – not a substitute for it. That day at the ball park ended with Gabriel taking a final swing at me and letting loose a final shout of hatred…with me making assurances to everyone around that everything was okay.

In the last three years, Gabriel has seen a man almost die from a drug overdose, and other things that most adults would have trouble dealing with. I don’t know that this Match relationship has eased any of that pain, or taught him that there’s any extra good in the world. I don’t know that it has encouraged him in the direction of a life of service to others, but hopefully, if it has shown him nothing else, it has shown him that not everyone leaves when the going is hard. If it has shown him that much, I believe that will be enough.. 

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Tampa Bay’s Big Sister of the Year -- 2009

and Big Sister of the Year for Florida

 Judy Dickerson

Written by Mentor Manager Heather Shell

On April 18^th 2007 retired teacher Judy Dickerson with an 11-year-old child named Ashley. Ashley lived in a small dark dilapidated trailer with no electricity. She has two younger brothers and is being raised by her mother. Ashley never spoke during the entire Match Meeting (when the Little meets the Big for the first time). She looked at the floor the whole time and her mother spoke for her. Judy wasn’t sure what to expect, but thought she might be able to bring some happiness to Ashley.

Judy gives 100% to everything she does. They started becoming friends and it was not long until Ashley started asking Judy advice on different subjects. Judy encouraged Ashley to play a sport to become more active and social at school. After hearing about Judy’s experience as a cheerleader, Ashley tried out for her squad at school and made the cut! This boosted her self-esteem and she became more out-going and started making friends.

Judy worked with Ashley on her homework, grammar and helped her study for tests. Ashley’s grades went up and she started making the honor roll and was named Turn Around Student of the Year. In a short amount of time, I’ve seen how Ashley has changed: she now looks people in the eye when she speaks, holds her head up high and feel comfortable laughing and joking with others.

Family circumstances forced Ashley’s family to move Pinellas County, but the longer drive didn’t stop Judy. She drove down every weekend and picked up Ashley for the day. They continued to work on school and her grades never slipped.

Ashley talks about the future now and going to college. She wants to be a doctor and told Judy that when she grows up and has her own house, Judy can move in with her and she will take care of Judy just like Judy takes care of her now.

***The State Association selected Judy as Big Sister of the Year for Florida and will represent the Sunshine State at the National Big Brothers Big Sisters convention in Miami this summer.***

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United Way of Tampa Bay Volunteer of the Year -- 2009

Teura Jones

Congratulations to Big Sister Teura Jones. She will represent our agency at the Volunteer Appreciation luncheon. Teura is matched with Little Sister Aaliyah. Also recognized at the luncheon, Sue Miller. The dedicated Big Sister was recognized for her work with Hillsborough Literacy Council.

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Polk County Bigs of the Year

The Polk County staff hosted a Volunteer Appreciation banquet at Victory Church in April. Special thanks to Fred’s Southern Restaurant which provided the meal.