Brian Chung & Emanuel

It’s not often that we hear about a matched pair who have built a robot or installed a radio in a car. But that is exactly what Brian Chung and his Little Brother Emanuel have done in the year since they’ve been matched.

But they have also gone golfing, played Wii, eaten out, done some homework, played classical guitar, gone ice skating, gone fishing, attended a community festival, gone bowling, attended BBBS parties, built a gingerbread house, attended sporting events, gone canoeing and gone biking.

Brian has also distributed fliers at his work to solicit donations from his colleagues for a BBBS bowling fundraising event and has attended BBBS/Mercer County Sheriff’s Safety Training class.

Constantly aware of BBBS ground rules which discourage Bigs from spending a great amount of money on their Littles, Brian strives to plan low-cost activities which will be fun for both but will also be a learning experience for his Little.

Not only is Emanuel having a great time with Brian, he also notes that if a week goes by when they can’t get together, he feels sad and wants to make it up somehow. Mostly he likes that he can talk openly to his Big Brother about stuff that’s bugging him, including problems with friends or in school.

While Robot-building was his most favorite activity with his Big, going fishing, playing Monopoly and working on the car radio were not far behind. In addition to their weekly get-togethers, this pair also talks on the phone weekly.

Since Emanuel is being raised by his mother alone, this male bonding and role modeling is deeply appreciated. She notes that “Brian is one of our family now.”

Nancy Cox
8/13/09