Local Organization Cooking Up A Special Mother's Day

Some Tulsa kids got help cooking up something special for Mother's Day. Their sous-chefs are just like members of the family. They're doing more in the kitchen than cooking. They're stirring

Saturday, May 12th 2007, 5:05 pm

By: News On 6

Some Tulsa kids got help cooking up something special for Mother's Day. Their sous-chefs are just like members of the family. They're doing more in the kitchen than cooking. They're stirring up conversation. Their stories span from skydiving to schoolwork. Kids say their Big Brothers or Big Sisters listen to their problems, encourage them, and just have fun. The News On 6â€™s Joshua Brakhage reports organizers say that's a recipe for success.

What do you get when you combine one part Mother's Day anticipation, two parts amateur bakers, and another part of lifetime friendship? Well, cupcakes, but for these kids and their Big Brothers and Big Sisters, they're memories for life.

"I never had a little sister and always wanted a little sister,â€ said Big Sister April Brookover. â€œI have two little brothers, but something about having a little sister, and someone to go have fun with."

"Just like she said she always wanted a little sister,â€ said Crystal. â€œI've always wanted a big sister."

Kenneth is one of the few guys in the kitchen. He says he gives himself a seven on the cooking scale, but burgers aren't his forte.

"I tried to make me a hamburger and the whole house was smoked up,â€ he said. â€œThe fire detector had went off."

To kids like Kenneth and Crystal, they're Big Brothers and Big Sisters are more than friends, more than mentors, they're members of the family.

"I never expected it to be what it is now and I can imagine Kenneth being a part of my life the rest of his life,â€ said Kennethâ€™s Big Brother Kyle Wester. â€œHe promises when he gets drafted by the NFL that he's going to buy me a new house and everything."

They say finding someone who fits you so well is just icing on the cupcake.

"I'm more of a cooker than I am a baker," said Bookover.

"I can bake better than I can cook," said Crystal.

"I'll do the meals. You do the desserts, and we're good," said Bookover.

"We're good," said Crystal.

Some kids come to Big Brothers Big Sisters from other child welfare organizations that can't meet the children's needs, but most come through parents, principals or school counselors. They say many kids just need a role model who seems more like a friend.

For more information visit the Big Brother Big Sister website.