Big Brother Manny Marrero and Big Sister Malee “Noi” Prete have been recognized as the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape & Islands “Bigs of the Year” for their impact on their “Littles.”
Every year, the organization nominates one Big Brother and one Big Sister to be considered for this honor. In order to win the title, the mentor needs to exhibit superlative influence over his/her Little throughout their match.
Marrero, a resident of West Yarmouth and an employee of Cape Cod Healthcare, has been matched with his Little, Ronnie of West Yarmouth, for the past four years. Ronnie, now 13, says it was a perfect fit from the first time they were introduced by the agency and that Manny has helped to inspire his future.
“I hope I taught Manny how much one person can impact an individual because he’s definitely had a
positive impact on my life” said Ronnie. “There’s never really been a struggle at all in my relationship with Manny. We clicked almost immediately and have been tight since we first met.”
Prete, a resident of Bourne, has been matched with her Little Sister, Betsy of Mashpee, for the past eight years. Through the years they have gone apple picking, seen concerts together and gone for walks through downtown Falmouth.
“Betsy has grown so much, literally (she is so much taller than me now) and figuratively over the eight years of our match,” said Prete. “I look back to the first pictures we took, and I see the sassy little 9-year-old girl that has become a mature young woman.”
The agency will formally honor Marrero and Prete on June 7 at 21st Annual Golf For Kids Tournament at the Cummaquid Golf Club. Golf reservations and more information can be found on the tournament website: https://www.bbbsmb.org/events/cape-golf-for-kids/
The agency notes that the need for male volunteers is four times greater due to the large number of boys who are referred to the program. For more information, or to sign up, visit
www.CapeBigs.org or call 508-771-5150.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod & the Islands, a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Mass, is the only one-to-one youth mentoring organization serving just over 400 youth on Cape Cod and the Islands.
