By Natalie Zarowny
nzarowny@cbs4qc.com
The 37th annual Snowbird Softball Tournament
raises around $10 thousand every year to pair up kids with adult mentors in the
Big Brothers Big Sisters program of the Mississippi Valley.
Nineteen softball teams from as far away as Missouri are
getting an early start to the season.
And while everyone's having a good time, organizers of the
event said the money these folks are raising, goes a long way.
"It goes to support each match throughout their
relationship," said Courtney Tinoco of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Tinoco said that means money to support activities the pair
does together.
She said an older mentor bonding with their younger sibling
with these activities, can make a big difference in a child's life.
Having a mentor leads to better behavior, better graduation
rates, and better social skills.
"Many of the kids who may be very introverted, when
they have someone who is consistently meeting with them on a regular basis and
talking with them, it helps them to branch out," said Tinoco.
And folks playing in the tournament are just as passionate
about softball as they are about the cause they're supporting.
"Just something we think is really neat and actually
for our wedding instead of party favors we wanted to do a donation to Big
Brothers Big Sisters," said Jim Kopaska.
Big Brothers Big Sisters are thrilled with the money they're
raising.
But they said the best way to help out doesn't involve any
money at all.
"We're always looking for mentors. Even if we have a high volume of mentors,
we're still looking for mentors," said Tinoco.
