POLAND – Close to 50 mentors and mentees from Androscoggin and Oxford counties recently attended the Child Health Center’s Big Brothers Big Sisters end-of-summer picnic at Range Pond.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters community-based mentoring program matches children who need a little extra attention with an adult from their community. Throughout the year the matches meet a minimum of twice a month for three hours. During the summer Bigs and their Littles may go to the beach, a baseball game, go biking or hiking or see a movie.

Each year the summer draws to a close with a group gathering. This year it was a picnic at Range Pond. Hot dogs were cooked on the grill by Wayne Printy, the husband of Debbie, a mentoring coordinator, and Police Officer and Big Brother Randy Robbins. A round of volleyball, and horseshoes followed and the evening ended with a cake bearing the Big Brothers Big Sisters logo.

Anyone who would like to learn more about becoming a mentor should call 782-5437 or 743-7035 The Child Health Center is a nonprofit organization with offices in Auburn, Norway and Rumford.