MOOSE JAW — December sparkled a little brighter than usual thanks to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Moose Jaw paper lightbulb campaign that supported its mentorship program helping children and youth illuminate the path to a brighter future.
The organization’s third annual campaign, “Light a Little Sparkle,” ran for five weeks from Dec. 1, 2024, until its conclusion on Jan. 4.
Although this year’s total is still being tallied, the organization is estimating something in the ballpark of $1,500 “to ignite the power and potential of young people in our community,” Amy Mohr, the organization’s director of development and communications, said recently.
“(The campaign) certainly went well,” she said. “We had two matching sponsors from Moose Jaw Ford and MNP Moose Jaw that matched donations from the public for the month of December.”
As well, she said two local businesses — CIBC and Cranberry Consignment — assisted by selling lightbulb donation cards at their retail locations, and additional bulbs were sold .
“That was a unique thing, and we’re really grateful for them to give us some space there,” Mohr said about the two businesses and the Warrior’s hockey club.
Proceeds from the Light a Little Sparkle campaign will go toward Big Brother Big Sister’s mentorship program benefiting Moose Jaw’s younger residents.
“Proceeds from any of the fundraising efforts that we do in Moose Jaw support the children and youth who are facing adversities in our community, and (we) match them with a safe, screened, and positive role model,” Mohr said.
The benefits of having a positive mentor and role model are significant, she said, and the impact is felt by the entire community.
“You know, it takes a village, if you will, to support the most vulnerable in our community. That’s what we are here to do — (and we do this through) matching those kids with life-changing mentors.”
Mentors volunteer a couple hours each week to spend time with a child or youth, and they’ll share some fun social activities together. This can range from skating, cooking, or playing video games to building a snowman together.
“Whatever activities they both individually like to do, they would do that together and through that, (build a) friendship and a (mutually supportive) relationship,” Mohr said.
When children and youth are matched with a mentor, their social and emotional competence increases, as well as their mental health and well-being, educational engagement, and employment readiness, she explained.
“It’s a really great feeling to know that you’re making a big difference in the life of the child.”
The benefits of mentorship also extend to the mentors themselves.
“(Mentorship also) looks really good on a resume,” Mohr added. “It helps you with soft skills; it helps you understand people from different backgrounds, different circumstances, and just increases your knowledge of the world and how it works.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters wished to thank this year’s sponsors, those businesses who helped promote and sell lightbulbs, and everyone who supported the cause.
“We’re grateful for everybody that purchased a lightbulb, those who sold the lightbulbs for us, and yeah, we’re just really grateful for your support,” Mohr concluded.
If you would like to become a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters Moose Jaw, the organization is always welcoming new applications. Once a criminal record check and vulnerable sector check have been submitted, the organization is able to provide all necessary training.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Moose Jaw is also currently hiring a program co-ordinator to help plan and promote local events.
To learn more visit , call 306-513-8925, or visit ‘’ on Facebook.
