By Mark Squibb
The City of Mount Pearl is the latest organization to donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Newfoundland’s 75 Doors campaign, and the first municipality to do so.
The 75 Doors represent 75 young people waiting to be matched with a mentor. While the organization has enough volunteer mentors to match with the youths, it lacks the funding to do so.
“Big Brother’s Big Sisters has a significant challenge,” says Mayor Dave Aker in a video ad promoting the partnership released on September 10. “They’re at a 20-year high in terms of their waitlist. And I want people to know the larger picture, that 13 percent of those children reside here in the City of Mount Pearl. I want to make sure that people understand that this can be close to home. This campaign is essential to get the word out so we can connect with the volunteers and ensure those children in our city, our future leaders, don’t fall through the cracks today.”
The funding helps support the process necessary to match young people with a mentor. Other donors include Pippy Park Golf, CIBC, Kent, VOCM, Hickman Automotive Group, Reddy Kilowatt Credit Union, Steele Mazda, and Fortis Inc.
The donation amount wasn’t specified in the City’s announcement but following an inquiry staff confirmed for The Pearl a donation amount of $1,500.
