3 years ago Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brown County was new to town and looking to host one of its first fund raisers.  Board members had the idea for 5K FUN“D” Run and that first year raised funds that help match area children with caring and safe mentors. Also, at that first 5K FUN”D” run Ricky O’Dell decided to try his hand at running.  O’Dell finished the 5K and that began his new hobby of running both by himself and in races.  O’Dell has run the Big Brothers Big Sisters 5K ever since, which includes BBBS’ most recent FUN”D” Run this past Saturday.

Ricky now an avid runner took first place over all in the run with a time of 23 minutes and 29 seconds. After the race and medal presentations O’Dell approached Shane Blackshear, Regional Executive Director of BBBS.  “He asked if I would be around that day.  I told him I would and then he explained that he had made a promise to himself that if he ran a time under 24 minutes that he would donate $1,000 to BBBS.  I was surprised and so thankful because $1,000 is the costs of matching a child with a caring and safe mentor.  It’s a win-win really, through the runners, and sponsors: Brownwood Regional Medical Center, Danhil Container, Heart of Texas Internal Medicine, and Landmark Life; we are able to first of all continue our mission of providing a safe and caring mentor to every child who wants one, while provide local residents like Ricky with a fun and healthy tradition that they can look forward to every year,” said Blackshear.

Big Brothers Big Sisters currently needs volunteers and at this time has 20 children on the waiting list for a mentor.  Mentors spend 4-8 hours a month with their “Little” taking a walk in the park, playing board games, shooting hoops, or just hanging out and talking.  To volunteer or for more information visit bbbstx.org, or call 325-643-5600.