This Spring, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod & the Islands is launching its new Endurance Program. The program is designed to build a community of athletes who are interested in competing for a greater cause. Participants will have the opportunity to team up with fellow athletes and members of Big Brothers Big Sisters to fundraise and give back to the community. Read more about the program and participants’ experiences below!

What is the BBBS Endurance Program?     

The BBBS Endurance Program gives people of all athletic abilities the chance to participate in athletic events and connect with fellow participants who are passionate about giving back to their community. This program is designed for people who are interested in participating in events, but also want to raise awareness and contributions for a greater cause: Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Why Should I Participate?

As a leading mentorship program, Big Brothers Big Sisters gives children of all ages the chance to develop a unique bond and relationship with a mentor. The positive effects of these relationships have been seen in children’s development of confidence, compassion, and maturity. By choosing to participate in our Endurance Program, you will have the opportunity to promote the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters, and will play a pivotal role in these important efforts.

Several current Big Brothers and Big Sisters have participated in races in the past and fundraised for our organization. They’ve said that giving back, while engaging in a sport they love, is an extremely rewarding experience. Chris, a current Big Brother, said that by participating, he had the chance to give back to the community in a meaningful way. As a participant in the Rodman Ride for Kids, he was able to meet other Bigs in the race and fundraise for the organization. Will, a participant in the Ragnar Relay Race, says that he is excited to run with a team that is just as passionate about the mission as he is.

How Do I Become Involved?

If you are planning on independently participating in an upcoming athletic event and would like to find out how you can make your activity count, we encourage you to contact Sam Chappell at 617-956-0226. We want to help participants raise money by doing the activities they love- be it swimming, hiking, or anything in between. The Endurance Program slogan says it all- “Changing Lives, One Hop, Jump, Climb. Vinyasa at a Time.” If you are looking for some guidance, our organization has worked with the Falmouth Road Race on the Cape, the Ragnar Road Race, and the Martha’s Vineyard Marathon in the past. These events will be taking place this spring and summer, and more information about dates can be found HERE on our website.

Will, a participant of the Endurance Program and current employee, has organized a team of his colleagues to run the Ragnar Relay Race. His decision to fundraise for Big Brothers Big Sisters stems from his passion for our mission, and the positive effects that it can have on all the participants. He loves running and exercising, was interested in the Relay Race, and decided that it would be a perfect opportunity to also give back to Big Brothers Big Sisters. The team will be participating in a 2 day, 1 night relay race totaling around 200 miles amongst the members, which include a number of fellow BBBS staff.

How do I fundraise?

Fundraising can be an intimidating task, but our team at Big Brothers Big Sisters will guide you along throughout the process. Ben, a Big Brother, participated in the Falmouth Road Race last year, and found that fundraising was an exciting challenge. He expressed that once his family and friends saw how passionate he was about the organization, they were eager to donate to the cause. All participants in the Endurance Program will receive an online fundraising page and toolkit along with the support of Endurance Program Staff.

For more information about the Endurance Program and how to get involved, visit our website.