Big Golf Committee Members (L to R): Alex Tanguay, James Bettini, Conor Tuomey, Wilma Lopez, Kristen Stewart, Chris Bacon, Adam Ramos, Josh Lewin, Paul Kaboub (Not pictured; Amanda Bowker, Tim O’Brien, Shant Arakelian)

BOSTON, NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. – On Thursday, September 26, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts (BBBSEM) hosted the 22nd annual Daquan Burrell Memorial Big Golf Tournament. More than 160 golfers raised over $100,000 to benefit the agency’s youth mentoring programs for Eastern Massachusetts’ highest-risk communities.

Since its inception in 2003, the tournament has joined volunteer mentors, known as Bigs, with their friends and colleagues to benefit the nonprofit’s programs. The event, held at the Juniper Hill Golf Course in Northboro

ugh, featured a giveaway, on-course fun, luncheon, award program, putting contest, and more. In 2017, the one-day fundraiser was renamed in memory of Daquan Burrell, a Little who tragically passed away earlier that year. To date, the tournament has raised more than $700,000 for the cause.

During the reception and awards program, Partner/Founder at Inyarek Partners Paul Kaboub, event Co-Chair, BBBSEM Board of Advisor, and former Big, spoke about his experience as a mentor in the program and his involvement with the agency. Before the tournament started, Terry McCarron, BBBSEM’s Chief Program Officer, spoke about the value of youth mentoring.

“Caring mentors help youth reach their fullest potential,” says McCarron, who walks his talk as a two-time volunteer mentor for the nonprofit. “With a positive adult role model, a child is more likely to make healthy choices, thrive socially and emotionally and have stronger relationships with peers and other adults. Our work to transform families creates a ripple effect that builds stronger communities.”

In 2024, BBBSEM celebrates 75 years as the state’s leading one-to-one mentoring program for youth. The nonprofit partners with families to provide children with one-to-one relationships with caring adult mentors. With research and proven outcomes at its core, the BBBSEM creates Big-Little matches based on shared interests, geography and personality and serves as a consistent resource for Bigs, Littles and their families.

Over the past seven decades, BBBSEM has supported more than 25,000 youth. By 2028, the nonprofit aims to expand its reach to serve 10,000 youth in 150 communities statewide. For more information, to become a volunteer, or to register their children, your audience can visit: www.emassbigs.org.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is an innovative, energetic organization that is making a real difference in the lives of nearly 4,000 youth annually by providing them with an invested, caring adult mentor in long-term, professionally supported relationships. With research and proven outcomes at its core, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is working to defend the potential of children facing adversity and ensure every child has the support from caring adults that they need for healthy development and success in life. The organization’s vision is to inspire, engage and transform communities in Eastern Massachusetts by helping youth achieve their full potential, contributing to healthier families, better schools, more confident futures and stronger communities. Throughout its 75 years, the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate in New England has created and served more than 25,000 youth. For more information about the agency and its mission, visit www.emassbigs.org.