b'Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County\'s Operation Bigs is a one-to-one mentoringprogram for military children right here in San Diego County.Mentoring provides an extra layer of support to local military families, who are oftenpresented with challenges such as frequent relocation, school transitions, separationfrom extended family, increased responsibility coupled with a sense of loss when aparent deploys and the physical and psychological stress faced when a parents returnsfrom war.The program joins children with parents in the military to volunteer "Bigs" who are in themilitary, retired or civilian.Big Brother Jeff shared the following about hisexperience with his Little Brother, Matt. "I wastold he was shy and mostly an indoor child, butit wasn\'t long before we were chasing balloonsin the field, throwing paper airplaneseverywhere, or practicing casting a fishing polewhich only a few weeks later landed him his firstfish ever. Matt has gained confidence andfriends as well as learned new skills that willhopefully take him down the road to happinessas an adult."Little Brother Matt shared, "With Jeff I feel Ialways have someone I can talk to and becomfortable being myself. He teaches me newthings like chess and even tells me aboutfishing.I caught one by myself and wasn\'t evenscared to hold it! Being matched with Jeff givesme a new form of confidence."34 Military Appreciation Resource Magazine HOctober 2020 H Thank You For Your Service'