Aug. 4. On Saturday July 20, more than 350 Bigs, Littles, Boat Hosts and volunteers gathered separately and together for Year 20 of Big Day at the Lake.
Boat Hosts took the children and their mentors from Big Brothers Big Sisters Central Carolinas for a morning of swimming, boating and tubing on Lake Norman. The Boat Host operated out of their marina, club or home dock.
Each match of a Big and a Little is assigned to a different Boat Host, helping to establish long-term connections in a region noteworthy for the lack of upward mobility among those in marginalized demographics.
The BBBS mentors or Bigs are built-in chaperones for the children, also known as Littles, most of whom have never had the opportunity to boat, swim, or fish in a lake.
Ashley Farquharson (right), from the US Olympic Luge team \ Photos by Captain Ozzie Wiese
Lake activities continued until about 1 pm when everyone went to the Duke Energy Explorium where the picnic for 500+ participants has taken place for 20 years. It’s another way for people to come together who wouldn’t do so otherwise.
The event could not have taken place without 70 volunteers, the Explorium staff, sponsors, Big Brothers Big Sisters staff and mentors, as well as the dedicated Big Day at the Lake committee that meets practically year ‘round to plan the big day itself and fundraising events.
This year, sponsors and individual donors contributed $115,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas.
At the Town Board meeting July 15, Mayor Woody Washam declared July 20 Big Day at the Lake Day. NC Rep. John Bradford read a statement about Big Day at the Lake in the state Capitol upon the 20th anniversary. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/grt1aQbindI
By the numbers
234 Bigs and Littles
50 Boat hosts
70 picnic volunteers
200+ hot dogs donated by Service Plumbing
50 pizzas donated by Mama’s Pizza
200+ servings of vegan barbeque from Barveque
$115,000 in donations and sponsorships for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas
