Kevin Friel Awarded BBBS of Cape Cod and the Islands Big of the Year Award in Seventh Year of Friendship with Little, Christopher

West Barnstable Resident Recognized by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod & the Islands for his Outstanding Mentoring Efforts

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod & the Islands (BBBSCCI) is defending the potential of just under 400 youth annually on the Cape and Martha’s Vineyard by creating and nurturing transformational one-to-one mentoring relationships. This year, Big Brother Kevin Friel is being honorably recognized as BBBS of Cape Cod and the Island’s Big of the Year for the outstanding friendship he’s developed with his Little Brother, Christopher, since January of 2013.
The Big of the Year Award is given to a mentor who exhibits superlative influence over his/her Little throughout their match, and Kevin has done so for the last seven years. Kevin, an alumni Little from the agency’s program, was matched with his Big Brother, David Troutman, in 1992. In early 2013 he decided it was time for him to pay it forward and volunteer himself as a Big Brother. Kevin signed up and was matched with Christopher in January. Christopher had lost his father at age 6 and Kevin, who also lost his father at a young age, knew the important role his Big Brother had played as he went through that difficult time.
In the seven years the pair has been matched, Kevin has “seen Christopher grow up before his eyes”. In the early years they would create lists of match outing ideas, work on school work together, golf, fish, and watch movies. Christopher, now a junior at the Upper Cape Regional Technical School where he’s a high honor student, has been inspired by Kevin to also give back. They’ve made outings into giving back to the community, like volunteering at a trash cleanup day. Kevin is “proud of him for all of his accomplishments” and says “it has been such an enjoyable experience to be a Big Brother and give back in this way”.
“The impact that Kevin has had on Christopher and our agency will live beyond their years in our program,” said JR Mell, Regional Director. “Kevin will continue to be an example and a resource of how impactful our agency is and how being a ‘Big’ to a ‘Little’ changes lives for all.”
The agency will formally honor Kevin at the post-play reception at the 20th Annual Golf for Kids Tournament, Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at Cummaquid Golf Club.
“Anyone that volunteers for this organization has an opportunity to inspire and help empower a Little reach their potential” said Kevin. While Christopher has been fortunate enough to experience the positive impact of having a Big Brother, there are currently over 80 kids just like him throughout Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard waiting to be matched with a Big. In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, BBBS has retooled their service delivery model to support virtual connections, and enrollments, until physical distancing guidelines are changed. The agency has made 3 new virtual match introductions this week and encourages those who have ever considered mentoring to take the first step to becoming a Big today. For more information, or to sign up, please visit CapeBigs.org.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod & the Islands
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod & the Islands, a proud member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Mass family, is the only one-to-one youth mentoring organization serving over 390 youth on Cape Cod and the Islands. Our program is proven to produce several positive long-term and short-term youth development outcomes. Research shows that a match of just one year helps kids stay in school, avoid violent and risky behavior, and gain confidence. To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod & the Islands, please visit www.CapeBigs.org.