Mario, Luigi, Toad and Yoshi brought their favourite carts. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community support

Playing FORE a good cause

Jun 8, 2024 | 2:45 PM

Having one of their teams dressed up like the Super Mario Bros. seemed appropriate, as despite some rainy conditions, an annual fundraiser for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Prince Albert received a massive power up.

Friday’s Diva For A Day event at Kachur’s Golf Course raised close to $30,000. Development Coordinator Natasha Thomson explained those funds will allow them to continue in the community and pays for the costs associated with matching kids with mentors.

“Our costs are all around recruiting, training and supporting the volunteers that do the work,” she said.

Many of the teams came dressed for fun. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Friday’s event was sold out and included two six-foot tables worth of donated items for a silent auction and raffle. There were also dozens of sponsors.

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“We couldn’t do it without the community,” Thomson acknowledged.

Thomson estimated they have 11 kids on their waiting list, and encouraged those who are interested to go to their website.

“Anyone who is willing to commit to the program for an hour or two each week, we’ll support them,” she said.

Estelle Hjertaas first became a “Big” from 2005-2008 while in Montreal, and while she now has three children of her own, said she still keeps in touch with her Littles.

“All three of my Littles bring me so much pride and joy. They are amazing young women, all of whom have faced different challenges, and done their best. I know that I’ve been a positive force in their lives (because they’ve told me so), but I feel that it is my life which has been most enriched by having these wonderful girls, now women, be a part of it,” she said.

A player eyes up a birdie putt. Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

And while noting not every match ultimately ends up with such close relationships, Hjertaas, from her own years in the program and doing group outings, knows that the Bigs enjoy being with their Littles.

“It’s a wonderful program that brings people together across generation gaps, and gives young people someone in their lives who will be there to always root for them,” she said.

Gayla Thomas had a big sister for three years, from the time she was 8 to about 11 years old.

“The impact it had on my life was it gave me a sense of feeling important I didn’t feel alone, I felt like I had someone to look up to,” she said.

Friday’s event would not have been possible with sponsor support including SIGA. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Thomas recalled how she and her mentor would hang out once a week, and involved activities such as going bowling, shopping for Halloween costumes, or going to the movies.

“My advice to somebody who is considering being a big sister or brother would be to just be there for that child, listen to them when they talk to you make them feel like they’re important in a world where they might feel alone and small.”

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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