Kane Borough Mayor Brandy Schimp and Ciara Wittenburg aren’t related by blood, but you wouldn’t know it by the bond they’ve formed over the last seven years.

Over the years, they’ve taken part in boating and tubing at the Kinzua Reservoir, going to movie nights at the Kane Family Drive-In and planting flowers at Schimp’s house every Memorial Day.  

Schimp is a Big Sister and Wittenburg is a Little Sister who participate in The Guidance Center’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program. The initiative involves one-to-one mentoring relationships between adult volunteers with those at least five years old.

January marks the 16th annual National Mentoring Month, and in McKean County, 27 children are in need of a volunteer mentor. Matches get together at least two times per month engaging in everyday activities that build social skills and competency.

“Brandy and Ciara love to give back to the community and have in the past sent Christmas cards and care packages to overseas military personnel, made Christmas cookie care packages for friends and family, and participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters annual fundraiser, Bowl for Kids Sake, every year since they met,” said officials at Big Brothers Big Sisters.

During their anniversary meeting, the duo reminisced about their first outing when they went roller-skating at Corbin’s Temple and all the good talks they’ve had over dinner at Roma Gardens.

Schimp has been by Wittenburg’s side through many milestones in her life, such as going to her first snowball dance and prom, learning to drive, getting her first job, and most recently, turning 18.  

Officials at Big Brothers Big Sisters said that Wittenburg has been transformed from the shy, quiet girl Schimp first met to a confident, young adult. Wittenburg will graduate from Kane High School this year.

“Long-term studies show that kids who have a Big are much less likely to get involved in problem behaviors,” said officials at Big Brothers Big Sisters. “They have better school attendance, improved academic performance, and better relationships with family members and peers.”

For more information, call Big Brothers Big Sisters at 1-877-776-1636 or 814-887-5591 or see the organization on Facebook or www.bbbs-jem.org.