The 36th Annual Weyburn and District United Way Communithon is just over two weeks away. It's one of the biggest fundraisers of the year with 14 member agencies benefiting from the funds brought in by the Opportunity City. Over the next two weeks, we'll be looking at those member agencies and how your donations benefit the community.

Weyburn Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of those agencies.

"We provide quality volunteer mentors to deserving children and youth in Weyburn," said Regional Director Amy Mohr. 

The most well known BBBS program is the traditional one-to-one Big Little match, which gives volunteers the opportunity to "hang out" with youth at least once a week doing activities they both enjoy while getting to know each other and build a good friendship. There is also In-School Mentoring, where a volunteer goes to an elementary school for one hour a week and partakes in a pre-planned activity. A few group programs were also added a few years ago. These are aimed for youth 12-14 and focus on physical activity, eating habits, self-esteem and positive lifestyles.

"The money that we receive in Weyburn stays right here," said Mohr. "The funds go to ensuring that the mentors that we are matching children with are safe, that they're responsible, that they are who they say they are. It goes into making those matches healthy, safe and strong."

Although Big Brothers Big Sisters has at least one other fundraiser throughout the year, Mohr noted that the funds they receive from Communithon are "crucial". 

"We definitely depend on the Communithon and the United Way for helping keep our doors open and making awesome friendships and matches in the community."

Communithon runs October 20th.