Orillia Big Sister Josie Gullusci and her Little Sister, Andy, are such a good match, they often complete each other's sentences.
"We like the same music and the same songs," said Andy, 12.
"You are really into country now," said Gullusci, 38.
"Yeah. I'm really into country now," Andy agreed.
"We both like Luke Combs. You like Morgan Wallen and Luke Bryan," said Gullusci, a real estate agent.
The high-energy duo also like sports, cheering on the Toronto Maple Leafs, baking, and volunteering in the community.
They volunteered together at the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Orillia and District booth at the Christmas in June event and signed up a few prospective mentors.
"I feel like it's helpful when you have a Big and a Little match. People can see how it works," said Gullusci.
The two are looking into doing more volunteering together in the near future because Andy enjoys it.
"If I give Andy three choices of things to do and one is being helpful, she picks the one being helpful. I want to nuture her natural propensity to give back," said Gullusci, who lives in Orillia.
Andy's mother, Josée-Anne Drapeau, signed her daughter up for a Big Sister because she wanted to give her oldest child more experiences and opportunities to develop.
"Being a single mom, I wanted Andy to have someone she can talk to, experience different experiences and develop other skills," she said.
They applied last fall. At about the same time, Gullusci came in looking to volunteer. It didn't take staff long to see these two bubbly people would make a good pair. They have been a match since November.
Andy and Gullusci have taken part in several of the monthly BBBS Big Bunch events, including visiting the Orillia OPP detachment.
"You were really into the bomb squad stuff," said Gullusci.
"He was so friendly. I was interested," responded Andy.
"He let her put the stuff on," explained Gullusci of the officer's willingness to let Andy wear the protective gear.
She said a friend suggested she be a Big Sister, so she signed up.
"I wanted to make a difference in a young girl's life, but I never expected how much knowing Andy and being a part of her life would mean to me," she said.
Gullusci is finding the experience "deeply inspiring" and she's excited to continue supporting Andy and staying involved with BBBS for years to come.
Cearia Watton-Somersett, mentoring manager with BBBS of Orillia and District, said it's unusual for a match such as theirs to happen so fast, but they were perfect for one another.
"They are the gold standard of matches. I smile when I think about them. They match each other's energy. Andy is such an amazing little ambassador. She's so outgoing and engaging," said Watton-Somersett.
Andy's mother said it's been an "enriching" experience for Andy and her whole family.
"It's helped Andy more than she even knows. Her confidence has grown so much. I like seeing Andy's face light up when I tell her she is meeting with Josie. Having Josie in Andy's life has not only impacted Andy's life but her sister's and mine as well," said Drapeau.
But not all of the children on the BBBS list are getting matched. It's particularly difficult for the boys, said Watton-Somersett, because so few men come forward willing to be a Big Brother.
"We have over 40 kiddos waiting to be matched. Some of the kids have been on the list for three or four years," she said.
The wait list for boys is closed, because it's not moving, resulting in a wait list for the wait list, she added.
There are 10 girls on the wait list, and they usually don't have to wait as long.
"We have a lot of women who get involved," said Watton-Somersett.
The lack of male volunteers has been an issue in the local community for years. Watton-Somersett said there are many ways to get involved that are not big-time commitments, such as helping with social media or volunteering at an event.
"We are so incredibly grateful to people who reach out," she said.
More information about ways to support BBBS of Orillia and District is available by calling 705-325-3151 or visiting orillia.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca.
