Community is at the heart of everything we do at Big Buddy – and recently we were reminded once again just how powerful community support can be.
At the vibrant Orewa Boulevard of Arts Fiesta, the team from RRE Agency proudly waved the Big Buddy flag, bringing energy, colour and heart to the day. This much-loved free local event celebrates creativity, connection and community spirit – values that align perfectly with Big Buddy’s mission. Fantastic to see RRE take on the main event sponsor this year!
For several years now, Rosalind and her incredible team at RRE Agency have shown up for Big Buddy in a very real and practical way. Not only do they help raise awareness about the work we do, but they also roll up their sleeves and get stuck in.
Raising Awareness and Funds – while having fun!
At this year’s Fiesta, the RRE team once again sold bottled water as a fundraiser for Big Buddy Mentoring Trust, turning simple conversations into meaningful impact. Every bottle sold contributes to helping us recruit, screen and train more volunteer Big Buddy mentors for boys waiting for a positive role model in their lives.
Community events like Orewa Boulevard of Arts Fiesta are powerful platforms for connection, and it was fantastic to see a number of our Little Buddy & Big Buddy matches visit across the course of the day!
Awareness and fundraising are both vital for charities like ours – but what makes this support even more special is the story behind it.
From Little Buddy Parent to Community Advocate
Rosalind first connected with Big Buddy when she reached out to have her son, James, matched with a mentor. James was paired with Eugene, and what began as a simple match has grown into a lasting and meaningful relationship. Years on, James and Eugene still keep in touch weekly – a testament to the power of consistent, caring mentorship.
That lived experience has turned Rosalind into one of our most passionate advocates. She understands firsthand the difference a Big Buddy can make in a young person’s life – the confidence built, the new experiences shared, the steady presence of someone simply showing up. Her support is not just professional; it is deeply personal.
When she speaks about Big Buddy at community events, it comes from the heart. And that authenticity resonates.
The Power of Community Champions
We often talk about the ripple effect of mentoring – how one positive relationship can influence not just a boy, but his whānau, his school community and beyond. In many ways, Rosalind embodies that ripple effect. A single match for her son has grown into years of advocacy, fundraising and awareness-raising that now supports many other boys across our regions.
To Rosalind and the entire RRE Agency team – thank you. Thank you for showing up year after year. Thank you for championing our cause in your community. Thank you for starting conversations and flying the Big Buddy banner high.
It’s because of community champions like you that we can continue matching boys with mentors who will walk alongside them, week after week, year after year.
We are incredibly grateful to have you as part of the Big Buddy whānau.
