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“So many of our kids don’t even
realize that they live within 15 min-utes
of the beach,” Anthony says.
Many big buddies develop a familial
attachment with their little buddies.
“As a big buddy you get attached
to the children like they’re your own,”
Janice Hanna says. “She Simmons
has been our little girl for a long time.
Big Buddy gave her a connection to a
family because she didn’t have one.”
Little buddies also feel a sense of
family from the program.
“I think of Susan as my family.
They’re like my grandparents,” Amaro
says, laughing. “I mean they’re
not that old, but they’re like my
grandparents.”
Since the Cape Fear Volunteer
Center took over in 2006, the pro-gram
has grown from 40 children to
more than 350. Big buddies and little
buddies are constantly being paired
up, but there’s an ongoing need
for more mentors. Aaliyah, Amaro’s
younger sister, is still waiting to be
matched with a big buddy.
For Amaro and Folk, the connec-tion
has been just about perfect.
They’ve grown close. They both
love Christmas and are planning a
weekend trip to Busch Gardens in
Williamsburg, Virginia, where they are
going to see the largest Christmas
light display in North America.
“It’s Christmas and I like every-thing
about Christmas,” Amaro says,
expressing her excitement.
Amaro might never have experi-enced
the state fair and Busch Gardens
if it weren’t for her big buddy. But the
benefits go both ways.
“It’s not just for the kids,” Folk
says. “Being a big buddy is so
rewarding. You get a lot out
of it.”