Gala raises $100,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Centre Wellington

ELORA – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Centre Wellington (BBBS) hosted its annual fundraising gala at the GrandWay in Elora on March 29 and raised about $100,000. The theme was “Lassos and Lace.” About 170 guests attended, BBBS executive director Anneli Segura told the Advertiser. She said BBBS’ mission is to “unlock the potential of young people by connecting them with mentors.” BBBS volunteers sign up to spend an hour every week or two with a youth aged five to 17. Segura said the organization is in dire need of new volunteers, particularly “big brothers.” There is a two-year waiting list for boys to be connected with mentors, she said, which means some youth, who signed up at 15 or 16, are at risk of aging out before matching with a mentor.