CORNWALL, Ontario – The new Executive Director of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters (BBBS) Cornwall has a long history with the organization.
Ron Graham was one of the first matches for the Cornwall chapter in 1973 at the age of seven. Graham said that he entered the Big Brother program after his father passed away to find a male mentor.
He found one in Wilford Tyo, who Graham says taught him skills like woodworking, hunting and fishing. Wilford Tyo was named Big Brother of the Year in 1973.
Graham himself became a Big Brother later in life and remained close with his Big and his Little throughout his life.
Graham was announced as the new Executive Director of BBBS on Friday, Jan. 12. Before taking on his current position, Graham was working at Équipe psycho-sociale.
Graham has been involved with BBBS Cornwall throughout the years. In addition to being a Little Brother and a Big Brother, he has also been a member of BBBS Cornwall’s governing board, and has served as its president, he was on the nominating committee for Big of the Year and, with his Big Brother Wilford, served as honourary chair of Bowling for Kids Sake.
Tim Horton’s Bowling for Kids Sake is in its 40th year. Graham has been on the job for less than a week and said that one of his immediate focuses is to make sure that this year’s Tim Horton’s Bowling for Kids Sake is another success. Tim Horton’s Bowling for Kids Sake takes place on Saturday, Feb. 3.
This year’s Tim Horton’s Bowling for Kids Sake is likely to be the biggest yet, and Graham is encouraging people to get their teams in as soon as they can.
Graham said that he also wanted to increase the number of kids matched by BBBS Cornwall.
“I’d like to see the agency do well and I want other kids to have this advantage,” he said. “There are a lot of great volunteers here in Cornwall. Some are hesitant to take that first step, but I’m here to encourage them.”
