BBBSNEW Blog

Each month, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin shines a light on the relationships that we are helping build within our community. Please help us congratulate Sandy Motkowski and her Little Sister Breanna, both of Green Bay — our Brown County Match of the Month for July.

Where did you hear about Big Brothers Big Sisters?
Sandy Motkowski: I think I have always been aware of Big Brothers Big Sisters through advertising and the media.

Why did you want to have a Big Sister?
Breanna: Because we have fun together.

Why did you want to become involved?
SM: We have now been Big and Little for two years.

What do you do when you spend time together?
SM: It would be easier to list what we haven’t done! We have gone fishing, sledding, to the Children’s Museum, to the Train Museum, to Ashwaubomay Park swimming, out for frozen custard, to the library, to the beach, and most recently to a water park. We spend time at my home baking cookies, reading, playing games, painting, doing puzzles, making forts, building gingerbread houses and running through the sprinkler. We spend a lot of time visiting different parks to check out the playground equipment and have picnics. Breanna is a very active, outdoor type girl. Our very favorite parks to go to are Pamperin Park and Bay Shore Park.

What do you do when you spend time together?
B: We go to the park, we go swimming, we play.

Is there something in particular that stands out as a memorable time with your Little?
SM: Everything we do together is memorable. What stands out most is Breanna’s joy and enthusiasm no matter the activity.

Is there something in the future that you would like to do together, or that you look forward to experiencing together?
B: I want to go back to the waterpark.

Is there something in the future that you would like to do together, or that you look forward to experiencing together?
SM: We plan to spend several hours at the NEW Zoo this summer, checking out the facilities, watching the animals and having a picnic.

I am also looking forward to painting our nails, read stories, having pizza and popcorn, and watching a movie together.

What have you enjoyed about being a Big?
SM: I enjoy all the time I spend with Breanna. She is enthusiastic about life and new experiences. Her favorite phrase used to be, “This is so much fun!” That has now changed to, “I got this!” whenever I ask if she would like help with an activity. She is kind, curious, silly and very loving. I never get tired of getting hugs or hearing her say I love you, Sandy. Now if I could only get her to stop calling me “Big Sister Sandy” in a very loud voice when we are in public, I would be grateful.

In what way has being matched with your Little affected you and your life?
SM: I have become a better driver because Breanna likes to offer helpful suggestions on my driving from the backseat. She has also brought me love and laughter. I am so grateful that I get to watch her grow and learn from all the different experiences we have together. (I could have done without her insisting we had to pet the worms and the fish the day we went fishing.)

How has being matched with a Big made a difference to you?
B: I love having a big sister.

What would you say to others about Big Brothers Big Sisters and to others who are thinking about becoming a Big?
SM: That being a friend and mentor to a child is vastly rewarding, not only to a child, but to you. Letting a child know you want to spend time with them, making them the focus of your attention, and listening to whatever they want to tell you encourages self-worth and self-confidence. I receive as much joy and love from my little as she gets from time with me.