Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts Raises $1.09 Million to Benefit Youth Mentoring Programs During 49th Annual Golf Classic

On June 6, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts’ (BBBSEM) 49th annual Golf Classic raised $1.09 million to support the nonprofit’s year-round one-to-one mentoring programs. As one of the keystone fundraisers for the nonprofit, the event featured Travis Mathew giveaways, on-course fun, a speaking program during the reception, and more.

More than 400 golfers teed up in groups of 4 for the cause at the Pinehills & Waverly Oaks Golf Course. During the reception, former mentoring match Michael Bircher and Dan Fox, who are now neighbors, spoke about their 25-year mentoring relationship.

Mark O’Donnell spoke about the agency’s growth plan, highlighting how the nonprofit served nearly 4,000 youth this past year. “Our secret to growth has been our ability to meet youth, families and our adult volunteers where they are and provide programming tailored to meet their needs in real time,” says O’Donnell. “We can’t control the impact of the changing world around our children, but we can create proactive and positive changes, one child at a time, that at scale can create broad impact that has the power to redefine our communities.”

Money raised from the annual Golf Classic event will support the organization’s community, site-based and campus-based programs. BBBSEM partners with families to provide children with one-to-one relationships with caring adult mentors who help them reach their fullest potential. With research and proven outcomes at its core, the nonprofit creates Big-Little matches based on shared interests, geography and personality and serves as a consistent resource for Bigs, Littles and their families.

In 2024, BBBSEM celebrates 75 years as the state’s leading one-to-one mentoring program for youth. Over the past seven decades, the agency 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.