Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
On May 18, Big Brothers Big Sisters launches its 2026 recruitment campaign, “The Big Draft,” with a kickoff party, open to the public.
The 2026 campaign aims to recruit 500 volunteers across Northeast Indiana to become Big Brothers and Big Sisters within 100 days. In Kosciusko County, BBBS aims to recruit at least 100 volunteers to be matched with local youth. Bolstered recruitment efforts and extra events begin on May 18 and last through Aug. 31.
Join BBBS at the first recruitment campaign kickoff party, with more across Northeast Indiana to be announced, for an evening of games, snacks, drinks, and team drafting to start the campaign season. RSVP at https://giving.bbbsnei.org/event/the-big-draft-kickoff-event-kosciusko-county/e797738.
The kickoff party is 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 18 at Taproot Brewhouse and Company, 130 N. First St., Pierceton.
This year’s “The Big Draft” theme draws on the excitement surrounding sports drafts and encourages the community to answer the call to mentor, according to a news release from Big Brothers Big Sisters. Anyone can “get in the game” and become a mentor, with two programs tailored to different availabilities. Volunteers will meet with the youth they are matched with for at least two hours each month in the community-based program and for an hour weekly lunch with an elementary schooler in the School Buddies program.
Big Brothers Big Sisters undertakes this challenge to find matches for many children in the community who are still waiting for a mentor. Currently, there are over 300 Littles on the waiting list ready to be matched with Bigs. However, the number of children in need who would benefit from BBBS mentor programs may be larger, with Indiana ranking 25th in child well-being, according to the Indiana Youth Institute.
BBBS encourages those who are not currently able to mentor to get involved through plenty of other meaningful opportunities. Invite BBBS into workplaces, faith groups, or professional organizations to share the word about mentorship, the programs, and ways to get involved. People can also refer a friend or family member who would be a great mentor.
To “be the next pick” or learn more about becoming part of one of the programs, visit https://www.bbbsnei.org/500bigs/ or call 260-456-1600.
To learn more about getting involved in Kosciusko, contact Tammy Smith at tammy.smith@bbbs.org or call 574-306-2178.
