As the holidays draw near, our mountain towns come alive with generosity. Lights twinkle along Main Street, families gather around warm fires, and neighbors lend a hand wherever it’s needed. In this season of giving, it’s easy to see how connection — simply showing up for one another — makes our community stronger.
That same spirit drives Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina, which helps young people in the Cashiers and Highlands area reach their full potential through mentorship.
This year, local mentors and mentees have shared countless moments that capture the essence of community. From hiking trails and fishing at the lake to exploring festivals and tackling homework together, these simple activities create something profound: belonging.
One Highlands Big shared, “I signed up thinking I’d be helping a young person, but I’ve gained so much more. My Little reminds me to slow down, to laugh, and to appreciate the small things.”
Stories like this play out across the Plateau. Whether it’s a high school student mentoring an elementary child through the High School Bigs program or an adult volunteer meeting with their Little each week, the results are clear: kids grow in confidence, grades improve, futures brighten.
Big Brothers Big Sisters thrives on the generosity of this community. Local residents, small businesses, and part-time homeowners rally behind the program, supporting fundraising events and providing resources that make matches possible.
From Boots & Bourbon for Big Brothers Big Sisters, the annual fall fundraiser, to quiet year-end donations, every contribution ensures that local kids have someone in their corner.
The need for mentors in the Cashiers–Highlands area remains great. Like many small mountain communities, families here face challenges that make it hard for children to find consistent, positive adult role models.
That’s where BBBSWNC steps in — carefully matching each child with a mentor who shares their interests and offers friendship, encouragement, and accountability. These relationships help kids believe in themselves, and that belief changes everything.
Research shows that youth in mentoring programs are more likely to graduate, avoid risky behaviors, and develop strong social skills. But mentors benefit too. One volunteer said, “You don’t have to be perfect to be a mentor. You just have to show up.”
As the year closes, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina is deeply grateful for every volunteer, donor, and partner who makes this work possible. Yet many local children are still waiting to be matched.
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