Volunteers get involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters for a variety of reasons. For Big Brother Dan Ingham, it was a way for a new-comer to put down roots. “I was fairly new to the Waco community and I wanted to get involved,” Dan reflected. “I thought that working with young people was something I could excel at.”
When Dan met his Little Brother, Zac, in 2004, he was worried that they wouldn’t be able to connect. Zac was a little nervous and shy at first, but slowly began to open up the more time Dan spent with him. Their shared love for Peter Piper Pizza and hanging out at the park was the start of a friendship that has endured for seven years.
Dan has watched Zac grow from a small boy into a young man. However, this posed new challenges – What do I do now that my Little is growing up?!
One activity which has transcended age has been their trips up to Six Flags in Dallas. Dan recalls one memorable trip in particular. “A few years ago I talked Zac into getting on one of the biggest, scariest roller coasters. He was not at all sure that he trusted my judgment, but he ended up LOVING it,” Dan laughed. Roller coasters can get you going, no matter what age!
As Dan instilled confidence and “guts” into his Little Brother, he saw changes happening in his own personality as well. He says he has noticed that his communication skills with children have improved drastically, which will pay off as Dan and his wife prepare to welcome their first child later this year. In addition to enjoying his friendship with Zac, Dan cherishes the relationship he has built with Zac’s family.
Dan also supports Big Brothers Big Sisters as a board member and has been instrumental in helping us get the word out about the agency. Big Brothers Big Sisters of McLennan County THANKS YOU for your continued commitment to our program and to Zac!
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| Zac & Dan at Cameron Park Zoo, July 2011 |
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