Big Brother Eduardo Haynes has been affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2000. He has been matched for six years between two matches.

His first match was with Little Brother Peppie, which lasted roughly six months. Unfortunately Peppie’s family lost contact with Ed and the match closed. Fortunately for BBBS, Ed did not give up!

In the interim, Ed fostered a friendship with a family whose mother was very interested in having her son, Nathan (then age nine), involved with a mentor. “From this point our relationship began,” he says. “My second match felt "right" because Nate and I interacted like biological brothers. Today, Nathan is 14 and the relationship continues to grow.

“What touches me about Ed and Nathan is that they are not only a ‘match,” but they share a genuine love for each other,” says Ted Johnson, BBBS staff member. “He is a true Big Brother.”

Ed has seen the positive difference he’s made in Nate’s life. “Since being matched, Nathan's character, appearance, and behavior have greatly improved. To this day our relationship is still strong,” says Ed.

And Ed continues to be a strong advocate for our agency. He is currently the President of CAP (the Committee for Activities Planning), committee member for the Arby’s Charity Tour Golf Tournament, Table Captain, Big Magic Breakfast, and Bowl for Kids Sake committee member.

Ed adds that his goal is to afford Littles in our program the same opportunity to experience some of the things that he has seen in life. “All of my relationships, whether personal or professional, are used to give back. I see volunteering not as a chore but something that gives my mind, body, and spirit joy, he says.”

“My motto for life revolves around sowing the seed one child at a time through mentoring, coaching, and guidance. “