RUMFORD – In celebration of National Mentoring Month, the Child Health Center has recognized Bill Mattor of Roxbury, who has been a “Big” in the Child Health Center’s Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Program for more than seven years.

In 1999 Mattor was matched with Eric Collins. They were matched as part of the community-based mentoring program in which Bigs are asked to meet with their Littles for three to six hours a month.

However, over the years this match has met almost weekly, enjoying sports events and working out at the gym. When the two are not able to get together for an extended period of time, Mattor often calls his “Little,” who is now taller than him. Mattor feels it is easy to be a friend of a child who needs one. Collins fits right into the family.

Collins will graduate from Mountain Valley High School this year and plans to continue his education in the area of culinary arts.

Mattor said, “It is like having another of my own go off to school.” He added, “I know this is a lifelong friendship and we will continue to share, much of our lifetime experiences in the years to come.”

Mattor is one of more than 700 volunteers who mentors a child in Androscoggin, Oxford, northern Cumberland and southern Franklin counties under the Child Health Center’s Big Brothers Big Sisters programs. In 2005 more than 5,600 hours were devoted to mentoring in the programs.

Anyone who would like to learn more about either the mentoring programs should call the Child Health Center at 743-7035 or 782-5437 Those who know of a child who could benefit from a positive role model and special friend should call the center at 743-7035 or 782-5437.