Daniel and Ann

It’s a common misconception that Big and Little Sisters have to do girlie things, like do each others hair and makeup, bake cookies, or go shopping.  Or that Big and Little Brothers are always digging in the mud, tackling each other in football or watching the big game on the tube.  There are plenty of matched pairs that do participate in those things.  But for one pair, it isn’t the activities that make the difference; it’s just the time spent with each other that has impacted both their lives, as well as the lives of the people around them.

Daniel is a nine-year-old boy who has been living with his grandmother and little brother, Jared, due to family circumstances.  When Jared is away at the Milton Hershey School, Daniel says he was lonely.  “I needed someone to play with, ‘cause my brother wasn’t around,” he explained.  “Ann fixed that problem.”

Daniel’s grandmother, Gwen, originally wanted him to have a Big Brother.  “I really wanted him to have a positive male role model in his life,” she says.  “But Ann could not be any more perfect for Daniel.”

Ann Rhinehart, a manager of a local Wendy’s restaurant, wanted to become a Big Sister because “I wanted to share my love, my fun with someone less fortunate than myself.”  She described herself as athletic, outdoorsy and “just a big kid,” so a match with a boy wasn’t completely out of the question. 

Though it is more common to have a same-sex match, the pairing of Ann and Daniel has been perfect for both of them. 

When they were matched over a year ago, Daniel was shy and reserved.  “But as he got more comfortable around me, and I got more comfortable around him and his family, we just clicked,” Ann explained.  “He’s more willing to show his love and receive love.”

Staying true to Ann’s athletic background, she and Daniel spend lots of time playing basketball, biking through the Marina, or going to a Williamsport Crosscutters game.  They’ve spent much of the bitter winter months playing video games at Ann’s house, specifically “Crash Bandicoot.”  “Ann wins most of the time,” Daniel says, with a slight hint of a smile in his voice.

Both Ann and Daniel have benefited from their relationship.  “He gets so excited when he thinks Ann is coming,” Gwen said.  “We try to keep it a surprise for him, but most of the time he just can’t wait.”

“To see the glow on his face when he sees me coming,” says Ann, “it’s an incredible feeling.”  She encourages others to do what she has done, borrowing a phrase that most athletes are very familiar with: “Just Do It.  If you have two hours to share with someone, let them in your life.  It makes a huge difference, for you and the child.”

The rewards of being a Big Brother or Big Sister far outweigh the cost.  A few hours a week can put magic into a child’s life, and might just perk up your own in the process.  Thank you for supporting children like Daniel all over the Central Susquehanna Valley.

Tara and Pam

For many young girls, dreams of being a princess, or at least being treated like one, occur every night.  But for one set of matched Sisters, the fairly tale dream has worked its way into their everyday lives.

Tara is a 7-year-old girl from Union County, living in a house crowded with her mother, step-father and her two brothers.  Like the typical family these days, each family member has a busy schedule of sports, recitals, school and homework, and activities with friends.  As the baby of the family, Tara often gets lost in the shuffle.  She, too, is involved in different activities that keep her busy.  But she is also shy, and can be misunderstood by her schoolmates.  Because of her bashfulness, she has few friends, and rarely comes out of her bedroom to spend time with her family.  When asked what her three wishes in life would be, she replied:

Ø       To dress up like a princess.

Ø       To have a lot of friends.

Ø       To get to know people.

Pam was also the youngest child in her family, but had always hoped she would have a younger sister.  Though still a high school student, she wanted to find the time to dedicate to a child and find that little sister that she never had.  She is also very busy young woman, involved in school clubs, student government, sports and musical activities, so she can relate to the busy life Tara has been living.

After being matched, the difference in both Tara’s and Pam’s life has been remarkable.  Tara has excelled in school, and has become more open with her family and schoolmates.  Tara’s family can’t help but comment on the way her self-esteem has improved since Pam became a part of her life.  Pam has also found fulfillment in her relationship with her little sister.

Though neither Pam nor Tara is a real “princess,” they still feel like all of their dreams have come true.   Tara is getting to know people and is having success in making new friends.  And Pam needn’t spend anymore of her nights dreaming of a little sister.  This young girl and this young woman have both come to understand what it feels like to be treated with the respect, love and caring that all princesses deserve.