b'Operation BigsMentor a Military ChildThis month, Big Brothers Big Sisters is proud tocelebrate The Month of the Military Child, recognizing those who serve as well as those who support our service members through volunteerism. Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego Countys Operation Bigs is a one-to-one mentoring program for military children right here in San Diego County.Mentoring provides an extra layer of support to local military families, who are often presentedwith challenges such as frequent relocation, school transitions, separation from extended family, increased responsibility coupled with a sense of loss when a parent deploys and the physical and psychological stress faced when a parents returns from war.The program joins children with parents in the military to volunteer Bigs who are in the military, retired or civilian. This past year, the need has become even more critical with social isolation and so much uncertainty.Little Brother Landon is one of those natural-born athletes. When Landon was first introduced to his Big Brother, Lonnie, he was excited to play sports and be active with his mentor. They started out playing soccer together, and soon introducedbasketball and baseball into their repertoire. Soon after, Landon joined his local Little League team, where he immediately exceled at hitting andfielding, thanks to his practice with his Big Brother.The match spends a majority of their meeting time each week playing and practicing baseball https://sdbigs.org/operationbigs/ skills, and Landon landed a spot on the All-Star baseball team after just one season.Landons mom, Jenni, says Lonnie is like an actual big brother to Landon. He looks up to him and tries to make him proud. Lonnie has hadthe special opportunity to watch some of Landons local baseball games because they live in the same city. Jenni said, My favorite memory was when Lonnie came to one of Landons baseball games, and was cheering him on louder than any of the parents there. He even asked Landon to sign agame ball afterwards, which I know made Landon feel like a real all-star.For more information, please visit: www.SDBigs.org/OperationBigs or call (858) 746-917324 Military Appreciation Resource Magazine HApril 2021H Thank You For Your Service'