Local Mentors Win 2018 Big Brother & Big Sister of the Year for BBBS of Cumberland & Salem Counties and New Jersey

Big Sister Patricia and Little Sister Chakyra were matched on July 26, 2012. Patty is very supportive of Chakyra’s choice to play basketball and makes every effort to attend her games. Chakyra has become an excellent basketball player and has been described as being “somewhat of a rarity on the high school girls’ basketball team.” Chakyra states, “My Big Sister is special because she always hears me out when I am in a situation. We always have great talks and do a lot of fun things together that are very interesting. I have learned a lot from my Big Sister, but the most important lesson was to never give up and to strive for success no matter what the situation is. I’m glad that I met my Big Sister Patty, who has a very special place in my heart and life.”

Big Brother Kevin Ludwig and Little Brother Marcus were matched on January 11, 2011. Kevin would faithfully visit Marcus at school for lunch once a week; talking, playing games and eating together. As Marcus grew older, they began to spend time on the weekends and their friendship grew even stronger. Kevin said, “We have developed a warm and close relationship over the last seven years. My time with Marcus has grown from an in-school based, one-hour weekly visit to Marcus being a loved member of the Ludwig family.” Marcus loves spending Sundays with Kevin and his family, both having fun and learning more about what it means to be part of a family.