Colin Glen and Sam
Aliso Viejo resident Colin Glen has been named The Joe MacPherson Big Brother of the Year. Colin is Vice President of Business Development for IntelliMed, which provides cost containment services for self-insured companies to lower their workers’ compensation medical expenditures, and has served as a Big Brother to Sam, age 12, for over five years.
Colin has enjoyed a special connection with his Little Brother since the first days of his match. Colin remarked, “Sam is an energetic, funny, personable boy with limitless potential. His goal is to become a professional soccer player. If that doesn’t come to fruition, he plans on being a successful businessman.”
Colin is originally from Idaho. A former roommate suggested he become a “Big” as a way to immerse himself in his new community. Colin’s father offered him an excellent male role model growing up, and he wanted to offer the same to a boy in need. The pair meets twice monthly, and enjoys doing anything involving water, from swimming to Wild Rivers. They also enjoy movies, going to Boomers, bowling and the arcade.
Colin admires Sam’s ability to stay positive despite the challenges life has brought to him. He also believes his relationship with Sam will make him a better father to his own 18-month-old daughter.
Colin believes that due to their match, Sam has learned the value of education and hard work: “Whenever Sam praises one of my possessions or accomplishments, I attribute it to my education and hard work. This has helped Sam become a true believer about the importance of doing well in school. I am pleased to say he’s doing better than ever in school, and every time we get together he tells me about a test he’s aced or star he’s received.”
Sam’s self-confidence has also improved: “Sam’s confidence has hit new heights. My long-term commitment to him has paid dividends in helping him develop it. By knowing I will always be there for him, a void has been filled. He knows he can come to me with anything.”
Colin concluded, “Sam has become like a family member to us. I look forward to being part of each stage of his development process. I truly believe Sam will fulfill the peak of his potential due to our time spent together. The program works.”
Luz, Sam’s mother, is excited Colin has been named The Joe MacPherson Big Brother of the Year. She remarked, “Colin is a good person with a good heart. He’s very caring.”
Luz recalled how Sam served as ringbearer at Colin’s wedding. She is grateful for Colin’s influence on Sam, especially since Sam has no father in his life. She said, “To me, he is an angel.”
Volunteers and Donors Needed – Big Brothers Big Sisters is a donor-supported volunteer organization that changes lives. We depend on donations to ensure child safety and provide support for children, families and volunteers to build and sustain strong relationships. Our programs are proven to reduce a child’s risk of dropping out of school, becoming violent, using drugs and alcohol, and falling victim to other negative cycles that threaten our society. In addition to financial support, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County needs male volunteers to become Big Brothers as seventy percent of the children waiting for a “Big” are boys, yet only three in every 10 inquiries about volunteering come from men. To donate or volunteer, visit www.BigBroOC.org or call (714) 544-7773. Office address: 14131 Yorba Street, Suite 200, Tustin, CA 92780.
