Jeff Burek's Marathon to Support Mentoring

After our Marathon team’s first Saturday training, I was hanging out with my Little Brother Brandon and we were talking about why our team is fundraising and how organizations like MMP and Big Brother/Big Sister are supported. The first thing Brandon asks is if he can give up his allowance money to help. I hadn’t set up this page yet and already had a donation. And he is pretty pumped to be the first.

Brandon and I will have been matched up for two years come February. We hang out a couple times a month and talk every week. A lot of the most fun things we’ve done together I think I’d have trouble finding someone else to do with me. From tearing it up on the bumper boats at Kimball’s Farm to learning Martial Arts to racing Segways around Boston, we have a great time.

When looking at all the ways to make an impact on youths, mentoring makes very effective use of time and resources. It’s not just a one time thing but allows us to grow in a consistent relationship. This is critical to bringing on many small improvements and building success. Organizations like MMP and BBBS make it possible for us to be matched up and provide incredible support and new opportunities.

This past November Brandon built his first computer out of extra parts I brought him from my work place. I was hoping to work in a lesson here on how it takes a couple attempts to get something right (which shouldn’t fail with computers)--but Brandon one-upped me. I was surprised when it actually turned on never mind that he had it working on the first try. The best part of being a mentor is that I’ll always have more opportunities to toss fast balls at him.

I’m running the marathon because I think it’s an awesome challenge for a cause I feel is an important one. I hope you feel the same way and help me support MMP and BBBS.