BBBS of WNC - Polk & Rutherford Counties

05/12/2026

Some have seen our hydroponics tower in the office. Together we are learning what grows well and what doesn’t grow so well. It seems some of our plants have increased their growth rate over the past few days!

05/11/2026

Today we held our final group meeting with our Polk High School Bigs. The focus was Big Futures with guest speakers Virginia and Michael Purdy teaching the kids about the career choice of EMT and Wilderness Medicine. The students learned the salary of an EMT, all about what an EMT does and how they save lives every day. They learned about pulse rates, heart wave patterns, applying tourniquets, using a backpack to brace hip injuries, and how to wrap an “injury victim” to avoid hypothermia.
They heard stories of rescues Virginia and Michael have been on, learned that during hurricane Helene Virginia and Michael lead National Guard troops for search and rescue and also with Michael’s extensive medical training, terrain knowledge and rock climbing skills he is called on by the state for certain types of complex rescues.

The students learned hard work and dedication can make you home town heroes like the Purdy’s!!

We deeply appreciate the time they gave speaking to our High School Bigs!!

05/07/2026

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We are thrilled to welcome BBBS Western North Carolina into our membership. This longstanding organization is making lasting connections and positive impacts on youth across Western North Carolina. If you are interested in learning more about them, volunteering or seeing how you can be involved, please reach out. Jessica Spivey Toney, Area Program Manager, is also a Chamber Board member.

05/07/2026

BBBS of WNC would like to give a big shoutout to our HS Bigs that are graduating from Polk County HS as part of the Class of 2026.

Our high school Bigs mean the world to their Littles. They are mentors, role models, and steady encouragement, helping them feel seen, supported, and inspired. And in giving their time and heart, our Bigs are enriched too, gaining perspective, purpose, and the joy that comes from making a real difference.

05/04/2026

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MILL SPRING—Big Brothers Big Sisters of Polk and Rutherford County held a free community carnival on Saturday, May 2, at the Mill Spring Agriculture Center, located at 156 School Road. […]

05/04/2026

We love featuring our new matches!

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It's one of our favorite days - New Match Monday - and we have a very special one to present. Little Sister Alana lost her Big Sister of several years when the Big moved out of state. Now the Rutherford County Little has a new one, Madi. Madi, BBBS Rutherford’s Program Coordinator, and Alana both enjoy animals, being outside, and thrift store shopping. Their first outing was art in the park where they enjoyed painting, sunshine and hanging out.

05/02/2026

Such an amazing day at our Community Carnival! We enjoyed seeing so many come from the community and kids in our program. Fun carnival games, face painting, fairy hair, crafts, food, resources and a free community corner and fun music entertained all.

We thank all the volunteers, council members and family members that helped. We also that all of the resource organizations that came providing support to everyone. Thank you to Big Yummy food truck for the food, Pepsi distribution for the drinks, DJ Nikki for the fun dance music,
Polk students for amazing face painting AAA Sanatation Trade Street Market, All Around Tree Service and Food Lion.

04/30/2026

We LOVE the impact our program makes other people outside of the program!

There are many ways to be involved, from being a Big to being on our Advisory Council or even help plan events.

Message for more info

04/28/2026

Life does get messy at times!

Role modeling is such a huge part of mentoring. Teaching coping skills through role modeling and discussion is how youth learn how to handle life’s messy times.

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04/24/2026

Yesterday our Big’s and Little’s at Lake Lire Classical learned about first aid, wilderness first aid and the career path of an EMT. The kids were also interviewed and filmed for a video on the High School Bigs program to be shown at the National Convention.

Thank you to Virginia and Michael Purdy for such an amazing lesson! The kids learned a lot and really enjoyed themselves.