Left to right: Chris Garnett, Eric Wirth, Stanton McComb, Shannon Roberts, and Kevin Kitching at McKesson.Could a few hours a week make a difference in someone’s life?
This is a question to which McKesson employees Stanton McComb, Chris Garnett, and Kevin Kitching all said yes. To make this difference, they chose to volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters to serve as mentors for youth in our community, where just a few hours a week makes a BIG difference.
At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we focus on creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. We match volunteer mentors (Bigs) with youth in our community (Littles) who need a mentor the most. Each Big and Little meets weekly and find fun, meaningful ways to work together to achieve goals
Thanks to our volunteers, we see every day how a Little begins to believe in themself, when they see their Big believe in them. BBBS is excited to highlight three McKesson Bigs, who make this difference for their Little.
- Stanton McComb, President, Medical-Surgical, McKesson. Stanton first volunteered as a Big in the late 90s through BBBS in Washington D.C. where he was matched with Little Shannon. They created a bond that would last a lifetime, and over 20 years later continue to stay a part of each other’s lives.
- Chris Garnett, Vice President, Segment Marketing, McKesson. Chris first learned of BBBS by attending events. Inspired by the mission, he joined the BBBS Board of Directors in 2016. This past year, Chris became a Big in our Community-based program and was matched with Little Xzaiveer.
- Kevin Kitching, Senior Ecommerce Pricing Manager, McKesson. Kevin has volunteered through our Site-based program for over 5 years and has been a mentor to four Littles. He and his current Little, Sean, have been matched since September 2018.
Hear in their own words, what being a Big has meant to them.
Big Stanton McComb and Little Shannon
Alumni Big and Little Why did you decide to become a Big?
I came back from the Peace Corps in 1995 and started working in Washington, DC. At the time, I wanted to do something outside of work to help others and I learned about Big Brothers and it simply appealed to me. That is how I met not only Shannon but Shannon’s mom and extended family.
How has being a Big impacted you?
Well, I still cherish my life-long friendship with Shannon for sure. I learned some things from Shannon’s mom, Sharon, too. I interacted with her a fair bit as we scheduled outings and when I came to their house to pick up Shannon. Sharon was a single, hard-working mom and her total love and care for Shannon made an impression on me. She was such a good, caring, devoted and loving parent. She would do anything for Shannon and that stuck with me and I think of her dedication and diligence often now that I am a father.
Do you have a memory or story with your Little that you will always remember?
I remember a time when my parents were in town and, on a Saturday or Sunday, we took Shannon to the office where I worked, in the old Watergate building near the Kennedy Center, and we snuck into the big, fancy Board room and tried to roll quarters across the length of the long board room. For some reason I remember that and remember laughing quite a bit there and then.
Did you and your Little have a favorite place to go? How do you keep in touch through the shift to virtual and social distancing?
He and I visited a lot of different places. I think I took him to his first baseball game in Baltimore and that was cool, but I would honestly have to say that our favorite mutual destinations tended to be restaurants where we had good food together!
We text each other from time to time and every so often I will call him and check in. Shannon recently became a father, so I am looking forward to meeting his baby daughter! It is hard to imagine my Little Brother as a father, but it also brings a smile to my face too because I know he will be a great dad.
Big Chris Garnett and Little Xzaiveer
Currently matched in our Community-based mentoring program; Chris is also a member of the BBBS Marketing CommitteeWhy did you decide to become a Big?
I had been involved with the organization for 5 years, starting with attendance at the events, to joining the board and launching the first Marketing Committee. But I was still hesitant to take the step to become a BIG – only because I was a little nervous of what it would entail and whether I was truly able to make a difference. I finally decided a year ago that it was finally time for me to step up – and I’m so glad I did.How has being a Big impacted you?
Xzaiveer is such a great kid – kind, thoughtful, funny and smart. And although I’ve been able to help and teach him some things over this last year, I KNOW I’ve learned a ton from him and our time together. Especially when it comes to attitude, because despite anything Xzaiveer might be going through, he is always upbeat and positive.
Do you have a memory or story with your Little that you will always remember?No one specific story but one thing that absolutely stands out about Xzaiveer is his love for sports and his AMAZING memory of players and statistics. Xzaiveer and I are both fans of the Washington Football Team. For anyone who knows Washington, it can be VERY difficult to stay a fan, but he and I stick with them. But more amazing that that, Xzaiveer can tell you pretty much every player on the team, their stats, strengths and weaknesses and how he thinks they’ll do the rest of the season.
Did you and your Little have a favorite place to go? How do you keep in touch through the shift to virtual and social distancing?
We have had a couple really good bowling competitions. We were also able to get out fairly early during COVID by staying outdoors with basketball and Go-Carts. It has been more difficult with the colder weather, but we keep in touch through phone and text and hope to get back out sometime soon.
Big Kevin Kitching and Little Sean
Currently matched in our Site-based mentoring program
Why did you decide to become a Big?
My spouse is a school counselor, and I was hearing a lot from her about the challenges that elementary students are facing today. Often, these children were in situations that would have been incredibly difficult to navigate even as an adult, and that realization led me to look for ways to give back and provide support. When I learned about Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission to “create and support one-to-one mentoring that ignites the power and promise of youth,” I knew I wanted to get involved. After experiencing the power of mentorship in my own childhood and into my career, I hope to be able to offer that positive and consistent relationship to my Littles.How has being a Big impacted you?
Over the past five years, I’ve built relationships with four young men. We spend one-on-one time together weekly during the school year, building trust in each other and having plenty of elementary school fun along the way, including board games, books, and recess! No matter how my own day is going or what has been on my mind, these meetings are a “reset” that help me to center on what, or who, is most important—every day, we each have the choice to do something positive for others.
Do you have a memory or story with your Little that you will always remember?
A Little who I had been meeting with for over a year moved away the next school year, and I got re-matched. Two years later, he moved back to the same school and, when we first saw each other in the hallway, he had a smile from ear to ear as he asked excitedly if I remembered him. After spending some time together catching up, it helped me to see how much our relationship had meant to him, even after the time had passed.
Did you and your Little have a favorite place to go? How do you keep in touch through the shift to virtual and social distancing?
Because I have met with my Littles at school, some of our favorite activities have included eating lunch together, playing board games, and perfecting some new football or basketball skills. After teaching my Little to play checkers and practicing together, I’ll never forget the first time he beat me—we were both so excited! During the initial shutdown at the end of the school year, we were able to keep in touch as “pen pals” through some written notes. This year, I was excited to learn that we’ll have the chance to meet virtually and continue to build our relationship with each other.
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Thank you to Stanton, Chris, and Kevin who continue to be incredible advocates of mentoring in our community. And to McKesson for encouraging and supporting their employees as they make a difference in our community.
About McKesson
McKesson Corporation is a global leader in healthcare supply chain management solutions, retail pharmacy, community oncology and specialty care, and healthcare information technology. McKesson partners with pharmaceutical manufacturers, providers, pharmacies, governments and other organizations in healthcare to help provide the right medicines, medical products and healthcare services to the right patients at the right time, safely and cost-effectively.
United by our ICARE shared principles, our employees work every day to innovate and deliver opportunities that make our customers and partners more successful — all for the better health of patients. McKesson has been named the “Most Admired Company” in the healthcare wholesaler category by FORTUNE, a “Best Place to Work” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and a top military-friendly company by Military Friendly. For more information, visit www.mckesson.com.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters
With over 400 youth asking for a Big, we need more volunteers to ensure each youth receives the Big they deserve. By volunteering just a few hours a week, you could be the next Big to make a positive impact on youth in our community.
During the pandemic, youth are even more at-risk especially as they feel isolated and alone. Having a Big to meet with weekly, even when virtual, can make a BIG difference. BBBS matches youth (Littles) with caring, consistent mentors (Bigs) who can help them grow in confidence, perform better at school, and a create healthy lifestyle.
Act Today. Impact Their Tomorrow. To volunteer or donate call us at (804)261-4940 or go to bigbrobigsis.com.