Before 13-year-old Travis Huff had a match he said he was sad and had nobody to talk with. Three years ago that changed, he said, when he met Emelie Martlage.
Now, he bowls, plays pool, goes out to eat and plays video games with her, he said. He even made the A/B Honor Roll at his middle school for the first time.
Martlage, a Ball State University junior and early childhood special education major, was just one of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters who was honored at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware County Volunteer Recognition Dinner Tuesday.
Executive Director Taryn Poti said Big Brothers Big Sisters had two programs: community-based and school-based. She said the community-based program had about 160 matches and the school-based program had about 60 matches.
"College students are role models and demonstrate the importance of education and that you have potential to be what you want to be," Poti said.
Huff said he enjoyed spending time with Martlage and that a Big Brother or Big Sister was somebody to talk to besides parents. He said one of his favorite things to do was just talk with Martlage.
Martlage said she has an older brother in her family, but they are not close like she is with Huff.
"He looks up to me and wants to do things with me," Martlage said. "When I first met him I fell in love with him. He's funny, although he spoke more to his friends than me, really outgoing and made me laugh."
Another volunteer recognized at the dinner was Amanda Lyon, a junior psychology major. She said she met her little sister, 13-year-old Brittany McCord, about two years ago.
"I really was surprised how much she really is my little sister," Lyon said. "She's a part of the family."
Lyon said she and McCord roller skate, bowl, attend family weddings, play board and card games, go to the zoo, go to Minnetrista and play pool together.
McCord said her favorite thing to do with Lyon was take pictures. Her siblings like Lyon too, McCord said.
"It makes it so instead of having two sisters I have three," she said.
Poti said only about 100 Bigs, Littles, family and friends attended the recognition dinner because some volunteers had other things they had to do, but all the volunteers made a difference and provided stability in a child's life.
"They don't always realize the difference they're making," Poti said. "We're very fortunate to have the Ball State community not just with the volunteers but with group support."
Martlage said she became a Big Sister because she found it interesting and rewarding to help others.
"It's good for them to look up to somebody and make a new friend," she said.
Additional information
For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware County
visit bbbsmuncie.org
To learn how to become a volunteer visit the Web site or call 284-4141
About 160 matches are in the community-based programAbout 60 matches are in the school-based programAbout 50 children are still on the waiting list to receive a BigBrother or Big Sister
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