It’s a bond that isn’t defined by blood.
Nevertheless, Thalia Boggs and Cynthia Neely are sisters.
For nearly a decade, Boggs, 15, has been matched with multiple “bigs” through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bartholomew County, a program that provides children facing adversity with 1-to-1 relationships with an adult volunteer.
After Bogg’s former “big” could no longer meet with Boggs on a regular basis, the organization searched for a new match who could serve as Boggs’ new big sister. That’s when Neely became a branch on Boggs’ family tree.
Neely began volunteering for Bartholomew County’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program in 2004 after her own children grew up and went their separate ways. Knowing the group was looking for volunteers, she decided it would be a fitting way for her to give back to the community.
What began as a school-based match between the two has evolved into an authentic sisterhood.
“Our personalities match so well,” Neely said.
More than 40 youth across Bartholomew County are on a wait-list as Big Brothers Big Sisters awaits more volunteers. To help mitigate that high number, the organization has launched a “30 Bigs in 30 Days” campaign.
To learn more about the campaign, see Wednesday’s Republic.
