Shane Connor, a former Edmonton police officer, has a clear vision for the type of person he wants to be and a passion for inspiring others to follow his lead.
Shane Connor, a former Edmonton police officer, has a clear vision for the type of person he wants to be and a passion for inspiring others to follow his lead.
“My whole thing now is the pursuit of excellence and being great, ” he said, attributing that philosophy to what led him to become a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters and to his mentee, Matt.
Connor, 38, and Matt (not his real name to avoid possible bullying at school) share a relationship that provides Matt, who is 13, a male adult role model. It also affords him the chance to engage in activities that he might miss out on being from a single-parent household.
“It's great if I need to talk to someone about something and I can't talk to my mom about it, ” Matt said.
“I get to go out and do a lot of fun things, ” he added, citing football games and an upcoming trip to Vancouver paid for by the Canadian Brewhouse that Matt said might not be possible without the organization.
It also allows Connor the opportunity to guide Matt and to instill values he believes society needs.
“I am trying to teach that there is only a certain group in society that I like to call the few and society depends on those few to stand up for those who can't, ” said Connor, who points to law enforcement, firefighters, nurses, first responders and the like as members of that elite group.
“If I can inspire people to do the same thing, then we are winning. ”
It's a concept Matt, who is interested in police work, is drawn to and thinks is important.
“We have to step up and be a leader for everybody and help people if you can, ” said Matt, who is a student at St. Timothy School in Cochrane.
These are the types of relationships and mentorships that Big Brothers Big Sisters has tried to foster in the community for the past nine years.
Stephanie Giles, program co-ordinator, Cochrane and Airdrie, said Big Brothers Big Sisters served around 100 children through both its community and school mentorship programs last year.
The aim is to always add more mentors and mentees and because the programs are offered free of charge that means fundraising.
To that end, the Bowl For Kids Sake fundraiser - this year themed Glow with the Flow - has been raising thousands of dollars for the program each year - five in Cochrane.
Scheduled for March 18 at Cochrane Lanes, the event has room for 22 teams of four.
Teams are asked to raise a minimum of $100 per bowler and last year through sponsorships and teams, the event raised $11,500 that goes directly back into Cochrane programs.
Giles said the goal this year is $15,000.
Registration includes food and drinks, complimentary bowling shoes from Cochrane Lanes, and the chance to win door prizes donated by awesome local businesses. Teams are required to meet the minimum fundraising goal to be eligible for door prizes.
For more information or to register go to http://bbbscalgary.ca/bowlforkidssake/.
Bowling events are being held in Cochrane, Airdrie, Okotoks and Calgary.
