Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City in need of volunteers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — More than 200 kids are looking to be paired up with an adult who will serve as a role model and friend for them.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City said it needs volunteers. The group says most of the kids on the list are young boys who would like to have someone in their life to talk with and learn a few things from.
One pair is a real example of this bond.
Tyler Regier is 11-years-old and one of his best friends is Dillon Davis. The two were matched through the Big Brothers Big Sisters KC program.
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“My mom thought it would be really fun if I could join Big Brothers Big Sisters so I had someone I could just hang around with,” Regier said.
“He puts others before himself and for an 11-year-old to do that, it’s a really rare thing so he’s changed my life for the better,” Davis said.
Kristi Hutchison with the group says over 200 kids are currently on the waiting list. Most are boys and come from one parent families or are living in a nontraditional situation like foster care.
“We introduce strangers but they become part of their lives and most of the time they end up being lifelong friends because of the introduction that we make, which is really cool,” Hutchison said.
For Regier and Davis, their bond is more like family.
In the last year they’ve created a lot of memories. Regier’s favorite, getting to sit courtside for a KU basketball game.
“We got on the jumbotron and they won,” he said.
Oh yeah, by the way, it was his first game.
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“To top it all off, he got a shout out on the radio broadcast on the way home from the broadcasters who were dedicating the game to Tyler for having been a former cancer survivor,” Davis said.
Regier had just celebrated eight years of being cancer free. After having leukemia at the age of three. So David got in touch with one of the broadcasters to make the night just that more special.
“He’s probably one of the best big brothers you could ever get,” Regier said. “If not the best.”
It’s just the beginning for the two as they celebrate their one year of being matched. A year of playing sports, visiting new places and just having someone to talk to.
“It may just seem like such a small thing but to them, maybe they don’t have that person to do those things with. It means the world,” Davis said.
Their next adventure, Arrowhead Stadium. They’re going to get a tour and Regier is hoping he gets to see Patrick Mahomes’ locker.
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You can find more information on becoming a big brother or sister online here. They’re mainly looking for adult men but encourage everyone to apply.
