MACON, Ga. — The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Georgia seem to have some bigger shoes to fill.
They are looking for mentors to be bigs for 175 littles on the waiting list, and they are recruiting from one particular group.
They're calling all members of the National Panhellenic Council, or Divine 9, to step up and shape these kid's futures.
Betsy Fitzgerald is the President and CEO of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Heart of Georgia chapter.
"They all deserve to have a mentor in their corner to be able to support and champion them," Fitzgerald said. "It feels good to give back. It makes a difference even if you're doing a little bit, all those little bits add up to a lot of bits!"
Fitzgerald says it really starts with the community coming together and working together to help the kids.
"Of those 175 littles, 65% are youth of color," Fitzgerald said. "This is something important to us because we want to make sure that we're exposing them to different people, different lifestyles, and different experiences."
Jeffery Parlor has been a mentor or big for almost 15 years.
Parlor is from Savannah and graduated from Fort Valley State University where he pledged to be a member of Omega Psi Phi.
He says he's living his creed, which is service to the community.
"Giving them inspiration is everything because they don't get it anywhere else," Parlor said. "Their life is going to continue and what we don't want to do is for their life to continue in the wrong way, so if you could enter one of these children's lives and help them, guide them in a positive way, you'll give them something to go from and they can say somebody cares."
The kids that Parlor has mentored have left a special place in his heart, and he can recognize what difference he's making in their lives.
"Aspiration is everything," Parlor said. "What we try to do as fraternities and sororities is be an example of what you can be, of what you can do, and what you can achieve."
Parlor said being an example to these kids is the reason he does this. He says these kids need that additional support, so reaching out and giving them the right path to walk on is his passion.
"I promise you this, if you give it a try, you'll become addicted," Parlor said. "You'll want to help those little girls and boys every year. They are going to pull on your heartstrings and they're going to show you, and they're going to tell you how much you mean to them and that your time has not been wasted."
The challenge is geared towards Divine 9 members, but anyone and everyone can be a big to these littles in need.