Patriots Players Team Up with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern MA

BOSTON – On June 2, New England Patriots players Wide Receiver Kendrick Bourne and Tight End Devin Asiasi joined nearly 400 golfers to play in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts’ 47th annual Golf Classic. The event, which was held at the Pinehills Golf Club raised over $1 million to support the nonprofit’s year-round one-to-one youth mentoring programs.

Mark O’Donnell, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts, spoke about the importance of mentoring, especially now, as families continue to navigate challenges associated with the pandemic and waning COVID-19 relief.

The state’s leading one-to-one youth mentoring program partners with families to provide children with one-to-one relationships with caring adult mentors who help them reach their fullest potential. With research and proven outcomes at its core, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts creates matches based on shared interests, geography and personality and serves as a consistent resource for Bigs, Littles and their families. The organization welcomes Bigs and Littles of all races, ethnicities, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, and physical abilities and serves as a bridge between communities and community partners, helping to address larger social issues, such as race and education gaps.

“We can’t change the multi-year impact of COVID-19 on our youth and families,” says O’Donnell. “What we can do, however, is implement proactive positive changes, one child at a time, that at scale can create broad impact that has the power to redefine our communities. Our work is more important now than ever, and we’re so grateful for those that came out to support our mission and play golf today.”

During the event, golfers teed up in teams of four to play 18 holes. A reception followed during which participants enjoyed a live auction, speaking program and awards presentation for winning teams. Bourne, an honorary Board Member for the agency, helped to auction a Patriots ticket and meet and greet package. He and Asiasi, who played as a team with Disruptive Sports Agency, continue to pay it forward in their communities for the mentorship they have received throughout their lives.

“Today was a blessing,” says Bourne, who participated in the event alongside his Patriots teammate Devin Asiasi and team at Disruptive Sports Agency. “I was able to build relationships with a lot of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts board members, staff, and supporters. It was a great event for an even better cause supporting mentoring relationships for kids.”

The largest Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate in New England has created and served more than 20,000 matches. The nonprofit is now enrolling and matching Littles and Bigs. For more information, to register your children or to become a volunteer, visit: www.emassbigs.org.

About Big Brother Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is an innovative, energetic organization that is making a real difference in the lives of nearly 3,000 youth annually by providing them with an invested, caring adult mentor in long-term, professionally supported relationships. With research and proven outcomes at its core, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is working to defend the potential of children facing adversity and ensure every child has the support from caring adults that they need for healthy development and success in life. The organization’s vision is to inspire, engage and transform communities in Eastern Massachusetts by helping youth achieve their full potential, contributing to healthier families, better schools, more confident futures and stronger communities. Throughout its 70 years, the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate in New England has created and served more than 20,000 matches. For more information about the agency and its mission, visit www.emassbigs.org.

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