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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-10-08, Page 6PAGE 6 —GODERICH SIGNAL ; '.i'A.ft. WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER ft, 1986 1 Recreation Department X TO PAUL PEEL ART EXHIBITION London Regional Art Gallery Sunday, October 19th, 1986 Leaving Goderich Arena: 11:30 a.m. Returning to Goderich: 5:30 p.m. Cost: 90. per person This is a once in a lifetime exhibition of this celebrated Artists' works including the well Know "A'ter The Bath' .- s .--a-� t* t "v ''y- � a g- 6W a_ �' x:N � !4-T' C4�'i �i rutA3t rriE4cEGrS� E .- A. . o o� ae�.-nz. - - DEPARTMENT, 166 McDONALD She, GODERICH BY OCTOBER 17th, 19860 Feature Big Brothers needs more volunteers. HALLS mentho-Lyptus Cough Drops Pkg. of 4 HALLOWE'EN HALLOWEE'EN COSTUME Make-up Kits & MASK Triaminicol D.M. Syrup Triaminic Syrup COUGH & COLD 8IF SYRUPS LP BY CORINNE BOYLE North Huron Big Brothers Association is in need of volunteers and during the month of September joined in with associations across Canada in celebrating Big Brother Month. The local organization has five matches between Little Brothers and Big Brothers. But, there are 10 to 12 young boys on the waiting list to be matched. "You always have more Little Brothers than Big Brothers and we're always waiting for male volunteers to make more mat- - ches," says Catherine Boddy, president of North Huron Big Brothers. She says things are starting to happen as there are a couple of prospective Big Brothers right now. "But, we always need more." Any man 18 V years and over with some spare time and a desire to be a friend to a young boy qualifies to be a Big Brother. Boddy stresses that a man doesh►'t have to 1.‘00011114, R 1Riz y Vta1a5 u11.• . Brother. "Grandfathers would be welcome as Big Brothers if they were interested. Not all Little Brothers want to be active all the time and some enjoy more passive activities such as reading or just visiting," says Boddy. Young boys who are waiting to be match- ed with Big Brothers are not looking for superheroes. These boys just want a special friend. Young boys, 6 to 16, who join Big Brothers are in need of a positive male influence in their life which may be missing for a number of reasons. A relationship with a Big Brother can help fill the absence of a father and give the boy a chance to carry on a one-to-one relationship with another male. But, the benefits of such a relationship are not only experienced by the youngster. "There is a great deal of satisfaction in the relationship for the Big Brother. I can't think of any higher reward than helping a Little Brother and being a friend. It's a very personal reward," says Boddy. For Glenn McMichael of Goderich, being a Big Brother benefits him as much as his Little Brother. "For example, it gives you a chance to tell all your old stories to a captive audience." McMichael became interested in becom- ing a Big Brother in 1984 at the time that a friend's son became a Little Brother.' The first Little Brother McMichael had has mov- ed away to Ottawa, but they still write back and forth. Now McMichael is matched with another Little Brother and they get together about once a week. "We do a variety of things. It often depends on my Little Brother," he says. Boddy says it is recommended that Big Brothers spend about two to four hours a week with their Little Brother. "It doesn't take long for four hours to whiz by, no mat- ter what you're doing together." McMichael has found that being a Big Brother makes him feel good. "Maybe I can help a kid ,out. A boylcan do things with his Big Brother that his►,other can't do." "This isn't like joining a club where you can forget it happened. Some kids already feel rejected so they don't want the Big Brother saying, 'Well, I don't want to do this–I'm going back to bowling.' It's a fun thing that is easy to stick with." pIn Store Photofinishin In before 3 p.m....Same day service SUNCOAST MALL, GODERICH, 524-2195 There are also times that McMichael gets a chance to do things he never got to do as a kid such as tour the firehall. He likes to try to plan something that his Little Brother wouldn't do with his friends or family. After having had two Little Brothers, McMichael realizes how different kids' in- terests can be. He says every relationship is individual. "It's something you get as much out of as you give it." John MacDonald agrees. "You receive what you give and then some. It's really a rewarding experience." He is another Goderich man who is a Big Brother. Five years ago, MacDonald was matched with a Little Brother and since that time the two have become close friends. MacDonald recognizes the need for more Big Brother volunteers and recommends it as a worthwhile commitment. "It's all about spending a little time with a boy who needs a man to talk to or do things with. It doesn't have to cost money and it's not a big time commitment." Some of the activities MacDonald and his Little Brother have enjoyed include fishing, baseball, hockey, wiener roasts and fairs. "It's a pleasure," is how MacDonald describes the time he spends as a volunteer Big Brother." The wait is a long one for most young boys who want to.be,matched. After .0 witPt over a year,. Karl Beier, 11, Was matt d with a Big Brother about three years ago. Although the Big Brother has since gone off to school, he visits Karl when he is home on weekends and they see each other more often during the summer. Shirley Beier, Karl's mother, was widow- ed when her three children were two, three and five years old. "Sometimes they need somebody besides me. For Karl, he needs a man to talk to now and then, just like a daughter talks to her mother." Shirley's other son, Colin, is still waiting to be matched, and is hoping that it will hap- pen soon. That male influence is very important for her children, says Shirley. "There are just some things that I can't do with the boys that they could do with a Big Brother." "It's nice to have a guy around sometimes," says Karl. He's enjoyed things like going to shows, fishing, camping and spending time at his Big. Brother's cottage. Eventhough his Big Brother is away at school most of the time, Karl looks forward to his visits and occasional phone calls. Boddy says although a situation when the Big Brother is a college or university stu- dent is not ideal, in almost all cases long- distance friendships have continued and the contact has remained very positive. For • anyone interested in joining the organization, Boddy says all it takes is a phone call. Other than being over 18, there are no prerequisites to being a Big Brother. After an application has been completed, a police screen will take place, followed by an interview with Boddy and one other direc- tor. References are checked and once the decision is made to accept the applicant; he LS introduced to this liel Little Brother., 1 "The association gets in touch with them every once in a while to see how things are going, but for the most part, they are on their own," says Boddy. "After all, a one-to- one relationship is the basis of what Big Brothers is all about." THE '87's ARE COMING! SAVE $$ NOW ON NEW 1986 MODELS! • 2 Chevettes •4 Novas' • 1 Cavalier .2 Celebrity's •2 Camaro's • 5 Full Size Pick -Ups •5 S10 Pick -Ups & Blazers • 1 Firenza •6 Calais • 3 Cutlass • 1 Cierra •4 '88 Olds' •3 '98 Olds' • 1 Tornado ' f ;? :,f%•;{:�j�ti? ir�.r:�Y�jiY�Syi;i?.r;•' r: Before youbuy...Give Jim a try!! LOIN M HAYTER3) Sales Representativet: Hayter Sri, JIm BOW Jr., Don Fuller, NOM.Pearson KING'$TON GODERICH 5244314 DANCE INSTRUCTORS WANTED If you or someone you know would like to teach Dance -- Jazz, Ballet, Tap, etc. —, the Seaforth Recreation Department would like to know. We have had requests to run Children's Dance Programs and we need your help. Please call The Seaforth_ Recrea- tion Office as soon as possible. 527-0882 DARRYL J. BEATTIE 19 Bennett St. E,, Goderich Phone 524-8181 Representing SOUTH EASTllOPE.PAJLMERS' MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY - Head Office: lhans tock, Ontario (519) 5552411 11 Prow Insurance For RESIIVWPIAL FARM AiJ OIL