The $1,000 splash

A fundraiser at Northside Volkswagen in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, aimed to drive community support for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sault Ste. Marie, with a focus on recruitment and specialized programming. The event, organized by Mike Storozuk, service concierge at the dealership and a member of the local Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, saw motorists lining up for car washes to donate to the cause.. According to Storozuk, any dollar value donated is impactful, as Big Brothers Big Sisters creates 'ripples of impact' in young lives.

Currently, around 40 youth are matched with mentors, but 70 more await matches. Storozuk, now a board member, emphasizes the need for more mentors to support the organization's mission of enabling life-changing mentoring relationships.

A personal connection

Mike Storozuk, service concierge at Northside Volkswagen and a member of the local Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, has a personal connection to the cause. He was a 'Big' from 2015 to 2020 and understands firsthand the impact of mentoring on young lives. His Little Brother, who had complex mental health needs, benefited from their regular outings and Storozuk's patient listening .

'He needed a person who would listen, who would enable him to translate his thoughts,' Storozuk recalled.. This experience has driven Storozuk's passion for supporting the organization's mission and recruiting more mentors to make a difference in the lives of Sault Ste.. Marie's youth .

The need for more mentors

According to Storozuk, the need for more mentors is pressing, with 70 youth awaiting matches. As a board member, he emphasizes the importance of community support in enabling life-changing mentoring relationships. The fundraiser, with no specific target, sought to raise funds for recruitment, screening, training of mentors, and specialized programming.