MARQUETTE, MI –
Tim Easterwood, an Ishpeming native, has generously donated $1 million to Big Brothers Big Sisters in the Central Upper Peninsula. This substantial contribution to the youth mentoring program was celebrated with a party at Marquette’s Zephyr Bar on Sunday.
Easterwood, reflecting on his own experience, expressed the profound impact of having a mentor. “For those who didn’t have a father figure at home and who had mentors step in for us, it’s been life-changing,” he said.
The donation honors Easterwood’s Big Brother, Daniel Hill, who mentored him starting in 1972 when Easterwood was 12 years old. Hill had previously been a Big Brother to Easterwood’s older brother and stepped in to mentor Tim after his previous Big Brother resigned. The bond they formed extended to Easterwood’s younger brother as well, creating a lasting relationship that included activities like canoeing and fishing.
Hill, who was a 21-year-old Vietnam Veteran at the time, recalled the meaningful connection. “I got more out of it than they did because 52 years later, we’re still friends, we’re still talking,” he said. Easterwood considers Hill family, appreciating the sacrifices Hill made as a young man to support them.
Easterwood’s donation aims to provide similar life-changing experiences to other youths. “It shows the impact of Big Brothers Big Sisters and the impact it can have on a person’s life and change their trajectory of life,” said BBBS Executive Director Jayne Letts.
During the celebration, Easterwood and Hill shared stories, laughed over charcuterie, and reminisced with old photographs. Hill attributed their enduring bond to Easterwood’s mother, who initially contacted the program.
“I’d like to say thank you to Tim because his generosity, his feeling, is just unbelievable,” Hill added, encouraging others to consider becoming Big Brothers and Sisters.
For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters, please visit here.
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