Tulsa Volunteers Honored By 'Big Brother Big Sisters' Of Oklahoma

A big brother and a big sister with Tulsa’s Big Brothers Big Sisters organization have been named ‘bigs of the year.’

Sarah Andrews and Charles Brown beat out hundreds of other mentors within the organization statewide for the top spot. There are seven BBBS chapters within the state and just two people named mentors of the year.

“It was a complete shock. I never got into this to win an award. I just like going out and having fun with a kid for a few hours a week,” Charles Brown said.

Brown has been mentoring Alden, 14, from Jenks since he was six. The freshman at Jenks High School tells News on 6 he couldn’t imagine his life without Charles in it.

“I have no idea what it would be like, nothing like this.”

Brown has a son in college and explains that as his son got older he missed the ability to mentor and coach a child which is what drew him to sign up to mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“He was ready to have a new adventure with a big brother and we hit it off great,” Brown explained.

The two spend a lot of time playing soccer, reading and going out to eat. Once a year they even take a day trip – the two have been to Little Rock, the Tall Grass Prairie, and the Great Salt Plains.

“I learned how to tip waiters and waitresses but he’s taught me better manners.”

Right now there is a waiting list of more than 150 kids for the Tulsa chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters. The CEO tells us that they are in desperate need of mentors right now, especially for young boys.

Alden says he wishes that all those on a waiting list had someone like Charles in their lives and he’s calling for others to step up to help.

“Don’t just do it because you feel like you have to. Do it because you want to and do it because you know you’ll be making a difference in that person’s life.

For information on how you can volunteer or learn about the program CLICK HERE.