Nine years ago, Teresa Luber met a shy fourth grader at Andrew Jackson Elementary in Kingsport, Tenn., named Raimi as a part of the school-based program for Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee.

“When I first met Raimi, she was a very shy little girl who did not have a lot of self-confidence,” Teresa said. “But I have watched her grow into a very mature young lady who is very determined to meet the goals she has set for herself.”

Since that first meeting, Teresa and Raimi have been nearly inseparable. As a part of the school-based program, Teresa would meet Raimi at school for 30 minutes once a week, helping her with her homework or sometimes just having lunch together. Realizing that wasn’t enough time for the two, Teresa asked to be a part of the community-based program with Raimi, where they would go to the movies, go swimming or even venture to Dollywood for a weekend. During one of their most recent activities, the pair traveled to Glade Spring, Va., to clean up wreckage left behind from the April tornado that struck the small town.

The pair’s relationship quickly evolved into something greater than just mentor and mentee, however – it turned into a long-lasting friendship.

“My role has always been to encourage Raimi to do her best and have fun with whatever she was doing,” said Teresa. “The Big Brothers Big Sisters program gives a purpose and meaning to life to work with a child and see them grow and mature into their own person. My husband [Larry] and I have both been involved in BBBS, and we have had as much fun and learned as much from this program as the children we have worked with.”

Nine years later, Raimi, now 18, is headed to college at East Tennessee State University to study exercise physiology. A regular volunteer at Holston Valley Hospital during her time off over her summers, Sims wants to give back what she’s been given.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters has impacted my life by allowing me to be matched with someone I can relate to so well. My school grades improved when I met Teresa, and it gave me someone to look up to,” said Raimi, who desires a career in Physical Therapy. “The impact has been so great that I hope one day I will be a big sister to someone. I want them to experience what I have.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters is currently seeking volunteers. For more information, visit www.bbbsetn.org, e-mail Recruitment Coordinator Ryan Roorda at rroorda@bbbsetn.org or call the office at 423-247-3240.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee (BBBSETN) celebrated in style on Memorial Day with its first-ever Big Little 5K, which took place on May 30 at the Ridgefields Country Club in Kingsport, Tenn.

Runners, BBBSETN staff and volunteers gathered on a mild Memorial Day morning for a run on the rolling hills and plains of the Kingsport golf course. With 244 runners for its inaugural race, BBBSETN community partnership coordinator Debbie Boggs was pleased with the turnout.

“We budgeted for approximately 150 runners,” Boggs said. “It’s great to come out here and run out of t-shirts because you have so many runners. That’s a good problem to have.”

The winners in the overall male category were David Lively, Jason Jenkins and Simeon Roberts. Winners in the overall female category were Vera McGill, Shannon Roark and Hannah Cutshall.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the nearly 55 children waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister in the Tri-Cities community.

Boggs is eager to see the event grow evening bigger next year.

“I think there’s a lot of potential for growth with this race. Not only are we helping raise awareness about our programs, but we’re also finding these kids a mentor. It’s truly a win-win.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee (BBBSETN) will hold its first-ever Big Little 5K race on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30 at 9 a.m. at the Ridgefields Country Club in Kingsport, Tenn.

All proceeds from the race will benefit the nearly 55 children waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister in the BBBSETN program.

Jeremy Lively, who’s on the planning committee for the Big Little 5K, said the inaugural race will have mass appeal for the Tri-Cities community.

“It’s a win-win. It’s a great family and community event that will benefit a great and deserving organization in Big Brothers Big Sisters,” said Lively, who’s an active Big Brother in the BBBSETN program. “The course is a certified 5K that differs from most local road races in that 90 percent of the course is on the Ridgefields Country Club golf course. It will be a great addition to the area’s running calendar and hopefully an event that will continue to grow in years to come.”

The planning committee for the Big Little 5K hired the We Run Events management team, who also heads up the Crazy 8s races, the Susan G. Komen race in Kingsport and many more in the region, to make sure the event would be a success.

“The Big Little 5K is great because it has appeal to both the seasoned runner as well as someone looking to participate in their first 5K,” Lively said. “I love this kind of event and think it’s important anytime you can promote awareness and raise money for organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters and do it through a community event. It takes a lot of people to come together and most importantly, could never happen without great sponsors like Martin Dentistry and Rasnick Family Chiropractic.”

To register for the Big Little 5K, visit the BBBSETN website at www.bbbsetn.org/triCities.htm or Active.com. Cost is $20 through May 28, $25 on May 29 and the day of the race. Each runner will receive a free t-shirt for participating.