Big Day at the Lake 18 / Nichie Cole photo

On Saturday July 22, more than 300 Bigs, Littles, Boat Hosts and volunteers will meet at Lake Norman for a day of boating, tubing, lakeside activities, food and fellowship.

Additionally, Mayor Woody Washam will declare that Saturday Big Day at the Lake Day, the 19th year of this event which supports at-risk children in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas (BBBSCC).

The picnic at Duke’s Energy Explorium includes water slides, games, food, and drinks donated by local restaurants and businesses.

More than 75 Boat Hosts are needed to take the children – along with their mentors – out on the lake for a morning of fun, concluding with a picnic for 600-plus participants at Duke Energy Explorium.

To sign up as a Boat Host or volunteer, go to bigdayatthelake.com

The BBBS mentors or Bigs serve as built-in chaperones for the children, also known as Littles.

Any type of boat is welcome, but not jet skis for safety reasons.

So far this year more than $122,000 has been raised for BBBSCC. Over the course of 19 years, Big Day at the Lake sponsors and donors have contributed nearly $1.7 million to the 50-year-old non-profit.

The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better.