‘This is just a really good start’

A tree planted next to Hillcrest Primary School will serve as a reminder to those who see it that — just like a groundskeeper helping a tree to grow — children need adult guidance to branch out and blossom. Big Brothers Big Sisters celebrated its one-year anniversary of its Shawano County program on Thursday as a crowd of more than 30 celebrated the steps taken to bring the well-known mentoring program to the area. In the last year, 44 area children have been matched with mentors who have engaged in activities such as helping with homework, going to parks, playing games and more. Todd McPeek, executive director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin, noted that the program is the fifth-largest organization of its kind in the country and number one in the Midwest. About 555 children in the region, which also includes Brown, Oconto and Door counties, have been matched with mentors. The local program started off as an idea more than two years ago with the help of Traci Hutchcraft, an employee with the Shawano County Human Services Department who now sits on the regional BBBS board. McPeek credited her with being the driving force behind the Shawano County program. “Traci had this dream and this idea, but it’s not just an idea,” McPeek said. “It’s the energy and the support. It’s the caring and passion for the youth in this area that continues to drive this. Traci lit the first match, and then another person joined the crusade, and another.” McPeek acknowledged it took a lot of energy to start the program, but Chris Marcks, program lead for Shawano County, said there was little coaxing required to get people involved. “We were really embraced wholeheartedly so quickly. It was just outstanding,” Marcks said. “We had 10 Bigs sign up and get enrolled within the first two months, just people shouting out, ‘I want to be a Big Sister. This is so cool we have this here,’ and being really excited.” Marcks said the local matches have made her participation in Big Brothers Big Sisters “the most rewarding experience of my life, hands down.” Among the local matches are Kyle Klotzbuecher and 11-year-old Collon Griffin, both from Shawano. The two were the first brother matches, first meeting in December 2014. Collon said Klotzbuecher takes him fishing, to the library and to visit a farm, among other things, adding later that “Kyle definitely helps me with my homework.” “We have a blast,” Collon said. Klotzbuecher enjoys giving Collon a chance to participate in activities and see things he might not otherwise have seen. “It’s been a great experience to meet a total stranger, and you end up being like brothers,” Klotzbuecher said. Big Brothers Big Sisters has held a number of fundraisers, including breakfasts, a golf outing and tailgating. The group has also increased its exposure by participating in events such as Shawano’s Jumpin’ June Jamboree, Marcks said. The group plans to host the first local Bowl for Kids Sake in March at Lakeshore Lanes. McPeek does not see the one-year anniversary as the finish of establishing Big Brothers Big Sisters in Shawano. “This is just a really good start,” McPeek said.