LEE COUNTY, Fla.- "I know what it was like going fishing with my dad all the time and I can't imagine a kid not having that opportunity," said Chuck Carter.

14-year-old Marquis Grimm almost missed that opportunity. He's from a single family home and money is tight.

"We do fun things together and he teaches me things," said Grimm.

Going fishing and learning life lessons is where big brother Chuck Carter comes in. The retiree has been Marquis' mentor for the last two years.

"If he has an opportunity to do something bad or good he is going to  choose good because he has one more person to disappoint," said Carter.

This duo is one of 100 Lee County Big Brothers Big Sisters matches. The 8th grader is one of the lucky ones. He has a mentor. 40 other kids who need one are on a waiting list. That's because the Lee County branch says they don't have enough mentors.

Angela Melvin is with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, "A lot of families in crisis are losing their homes and there's divorce all because of the economy so all of this can be linked to a child who is in desperate need of a mentor."
     
In June of 2011, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Florida closed after the national organization cited financial problems. Now, there's been a push to rebuild, but they need help.

"Our children are less likely to use drugs, less likely to get pregnant as teens, and more likely to go to college," said Melvin.

"You are helping to make a better world, " said Carter.

Anyone interested in donating or volunteering should e-mail amelvin@bbbssun.org or call 239-288-4224.