Big Brothers Big Sisters to Host New Version of Amazing Race

By WYDaily Staff Tuesday, September 06, 2011

There’s nothing like spending quality time with an at-risk child to help that child blossom.

That’s what Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Virginia Peninsula is all about, and they’re aiming to highlight their program with a fun new event, “The Amazing Little Race,” which will take place on Sept. 17.

 

The race will challenge teams of “Bigs” and “Littles” to finish a dalylong race inspired by CBS’s Emmy Award-winning reality show, “The Amazing Race.” Thirty teams will travel to five locations, from the Peninsula to South Side, completing challenges at each spot.

The event will begin at 8 a.m. at Great Wolf Lodge, where teams will compete in interactive activities, such as MagiQuest and arcade games.

Afterwards, they’ll board a charter bus sponsored by Oleta Coach Lines and travel to the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, followed by stops at the Virginia Air and Space Center, sponsored by NASA Langley, the Norfolk Zoo and the Hampton Teen Center.

Each challenge is designed to encourage critical thinking, decision-making and cooperation, while strengthening the bond between Bigs and Littles, according to the organization.

“We believe, and studies reinforce, that a positive association with a man or woman is most influential in helping a child become a happy, responsible, contributing member to society,” the BBBSGW website says.

The bus will be accompanied by the police forces of several localities on its journey through Hampton Roads. The James City County Police, Newport News Police, Newport News Sheriff’s Department, Hampton Sheriff’s Department, Norfolk Sheriff’s Department and Virginia State Troopers will join in the fun as they participate escort the teams around each locality.

The race will wrap-up at 5:30 p.m. at a celebration with live entertainment at the Hampton Teen Center. Potential members will get a chance to sign up to be mentors from 5 to 7 p.m.

Food for the teams will be provided by Chic-fil-A of Mooretown Road, NASA Langley and Olive Garden, with support from the Hampton Fire Department.

The event couldn’t be possible without the generosity of the event’s sponsors, community leaders and volunteers, according to BBBSGW Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Chisolm. “It has been a Herculean effort to coordinate the event, but what has been most amazing is that we haven’t had to pay a cent to create a wonderful experience for our Bigs and Littles,” she says.

The organization is always looking for new mentors throughout the region. Check out the BBSGW website to learn more about why mentors are important, or visit the group’s Facebook page. For more about the race, visit the event’s website.