SitNews - Stories in the News - Ketchikan, Alaska

 

Match of the Month: October 2006
By Nancy Coggins

 

November 03, 2006
Friday


Ketchikan, Alaska -"Big" Howard and "Little" Kody were matched within the Community Program of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of SEAK - Ketchikan for four years, and their friendship is still going strong. Kody's mother says, "He's ecstatic that Howard is continuing the friendship even though Kody has turned 18."


jpg Match of the Month

Howard and Kody pose in front of BBBS of SEAK -- KTN office wall with match handprints.
Photo by Nancy Coggins


It's hard to believe that every meeting is an adventure for Howard and Kody, but that's how it is! Howard says, "Kody is great at hiking, boating, and even kayaking."

You might guess the next subject of their interest would be anything that has to do with big trucks and racecars, but you might not have guessed, chainsaws. Then again, thinking like Alaskans, you might have thought of chainsaws first!

While he was in high school, Kody looked forward to their meetings each week as seen in his excitement when Howard would go to pick him up after school. And his teachers said he always had a lot to say about each of their meetings.

Their planning meeting about clearing a trail led to an extended project that lasted several months -- weather permitting! Safety was the number one priority in their work -- as is the case in every BBBS of SEAK - KTN activity. With the use of rakes, hand snips, and axes, these two "outdoor guys" were able to create a successful trail, complete with steps, from Howard's backyard into the mountains.

They spend other fun times hanging out, watching old TV shows, like "Dukes of Hazard." Another favorite activity is playing video games.

During our recent photo shoot in the BBBS of SEAK - KTN office against the wall of match handprints, Kody posed as a guitar player, acting out one of his dreams. The sky is the limit when you get extra encouragement to "go for it."

Of the magic, Howard says, "It has been neat to see Kody grow up over the years."

Sound like fun? Join Big Brothers Big Sisters program and add a little magic to your life. Capture fun moments with your "Little"; there are many children waiting for a "Big" like you! Get involved. Call 907-247-3350.


On the Web:

Match of the Month

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Alaska
http://www.southeastbigs.org/

 

Nancy Coggins is a freelance writer living in Ketchikan, Alaska.


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