Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin hold event to strengthen bonds between children and their mentors

SUAMICO (NBC 26) — Building memories that will last a lifetime.

Saturday afternoon Big Brother Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin (BBBSNEW) put on the Fun for Kids’ Sake event where children and their mentors came out for some fun games and activities at the Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve in Suamico.

From outdoor bowling to a game of corn hole, they had games of all levels for everyone to enjoy.

Event organizers say it’s important to continue having opportunities available for the relationships between children and their mentors can continue to strengthen.

Since the pandemic, Katie Hess, the executive director for the organization says it’s been a challenge to recruit new mentors known as “Bigs” as there hasn’t been many events like this one to showcase how beneficial it can be.

“You don’t have to be anything special, you just have to be yourself because we are all special in our own ways. We need to be sharing that with each other and bringing these big problems down to a smaller size and say ‘we can handle this, we can do this, we can do it together' and we are,” Hess said.

For Oliver, an elementary school student and his big brother Rob Reynebeau they have been paired up by the program for over two years now.

"Like going on walks, we like eating at Pizza Ranch," Oliver said.

The two say they have an inseparable bond and are grateful they have been brought together.

"He doesn't have immediate males close to him besides his friends and the kids at school," Reynebeau said.

Over the years they've created so many memories, Reynebeau being able to share some of his passions and give guidance, meanwhile Oliver getting the opportunity to learn and grow.

“When we first matched when he was six things he was struggling with at school and his friends, I’ve noticed him grow up a lot. He has awesome manners, he’s respectful just a great young kid and he was grown so much these last two years,” Reynebeau said.

"Obviously the best, the most impact on Little's is when they're in elementary school because that's the foundational ages and that's really when we build a lot of the life skills, build their self-confidence and things like that," Hess said.

Reynebeau said he's proud seeing his little brother grow into the boy he is now, saying this only makes him excited for what's to come.

The impact on Oliver something that is sure to last for generations.

Reynebeau vowing to be by his side throughout the way and continuing to ignite the light in Oliver's future endeavors.

“I now have a younger brother. I get to kind of be the role model older brother now. I never was an older brother,” Reynebeau said.

Next weekend, another Big Brothers Big Sisters event is taking place in Shawno County.

For more details on that event and how to register click here.

If you're interested in becoming a mentor "Big" you can click here for more informationon how to do so.

If you'd like to enroll your child to gain support and a mentor you can click here to do so.