By Emma Bouthillette 

Staff Writer

When Cameron Munroe couldn’t pump any more air into his bicycle tire, Guy Riendeau helped the boy reach the needed tire pressure. When Munroe stepped back in for the final pump, he leaned all his weight into the pump, but still couldn’t depress the handle against the pressure.

Riendeau, 61, of Kennebunk, brought his little brother Cameron, 8, of Kennebunk, to the Community Bicycle Center in Biddeford to tune up his bicycle. While Riendeau and Munroe aren’t really related, they are one of 70 Big Brothers Big Sisters of York County matches.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of York and Cumberland counties are still in need of “bigs” for “littles” who are waiting to be matched, said Big Brothers Big Sisters of York County Community Development Director Susan Braziel. She said the “bigs” are community-based mentors who are 18 years or older, demonstrate stability, responsibility and dependability, and can commit at least one year to the “little” they are paired with.

 “We capture the needs and interest of a ‘little,’ and make pairings based on interest,” Braziel said. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters Program Director Chris Woolworth said interested “bigs” fill out an interest questionnaire, application, provide three references from people who they have known for more than two years, undergo a national criminal background check, a state motor vehicle history check,  an hour long interview with a Big Brothers Big Sisters staff member, home assessment and training. She said after receiving all that information, Big Brothers Big Sisters picks a “little” they think will make the most successful match with the “big.” Riendeau said it was a six-week process before he was matched with Munroe.

The “littles,” between 7 and 18 years old, are referred to Big Brothers Big Sisters through school or sometimes parents, Braziel said. She said the backgrounds of the “littles” are varied, but most come from single parent homes, and for boys, they are in need of an adult male figure in their life. 

Braziel said according to a 1995 national study “Making a Difference: An Impact Study of Big Brothers Big Sisters,” after 18 months of spending time with “bigs,” the “littles” were 52 percent less likely to skip school, 46 percent less likely to use illegal drugs and 27 percent less likely to use alcohol.

She said Big Brothers Big Sisters provide “bigs” with a packet of things to do and places to go. Riendeau said the Community Bicycle Center was one of the many listings in the packet he found helpful when thinking of things to do with Munroe.

“Often times we have tickets for baseball games, art museums or exhibits for pairs to use. But it need not cost a lot of money. Sometimes it is as simple as washing a car, going to McDonalds or taking a walk on the beach,” Braziel said.

Riendeau said after hearing the need for mentors earlier this year, he decided to apply for the program. He and Munroe have been meeting regularly since then. 

 “We try to get together at least once a week for a couple of hours. I usually find plenty of things for us to do. He likes the outdoors, and I’ve been looking in the Yellow Pages for fun companies to visit, just so he can see what is out there for career opportunities. I try to stay two steps ahead of him,” Riendeau said. 

AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America member Aaron Lawton helped Munroe with his bicycle. He showed Munroe and Riendeau what they needed to do to adjust the bicycle’s tire pressure, brakes, gears and chain. The three worked together to tune up and clean the bicycle, which Munroe said rode smooth when he took it for a spin after the adjustments.

Community Bicycle Center Executive Director Andy Greif said the center offers scheduled bike rides on Wednesday afternoons. While the staff led community youth on a bicycle ride to Fortunes Rocks, Lawton stayed behind with Riendeau and Munroe. Greif said he was happy to keep the center open for the pair’s activity. 

“It is easier for boys to communicate through activity. They naturally fall into conversation while doing something together. I’d love to see more ‘bigs’ use the center,” Greif said.

Munroe, who stood not much taller than the workbench at the Community Bicycle Center, shared with Lawton and Riendeau some of his interests while working on the bicycle.

“I always take my bike out in the mud. I’m crazy with mud,” Munroe said. “I love biking and sports and fishing and sail boats. I want to go shark fishing.” 

Riendeau has kept a log of things the two have done together. Riendeau has taken Munroe to the Children’s Museum in Portland, bowling, miniature golfing, to Home Depot for a craft workshop and Norumbega Farm in Camden. Riendeau has also helped Munroe practice for Little League tryouts. 

Munroe said he likes pretty much everything he does with Riendeau, and couldn’t pick a favorite outing.

For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit www.somebigs.org.