Big Brother Big Sisters: ‘El Tour great to show the community we have a united front’

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona has been with El Tour for awhile now. They know the benefits of being out there and fundraising for a great cause.

They’ll have a strong group of riders – possibly 65 by the time the ride starts on Nov. 22.

They’ve already reached their corporate goal of $25,000 with their El Tour goal at $45,000.

They consistently meet their goals from this great event.

Since 1963, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is incredible potential. As Southern Arizona’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through young adulthood. They develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.

“It’s really about getting the word out there,” said Austin Urton, who is a board member with Big Brothers Big Sisters talking about the organization being involved with El Tour. “Events like (Loop de Loop) and El Tour are great to show the community that we have a united front.”

They’ll have riders in all different events. They will also be in the 5K running event.

“If there are people who don’t want to get on a bike there is still a chance to do the 5K,” he said.

This will be Austin’s sixth time.

“I’ve done most of the distances; it got me into cycling, actually,” he said.

He started riding with the Big Brothers Big Sisters back then and “never left,” he said.

“There’s something special about all this, especially when you are riding for a cause,” he said. “When you start to get to the finish line with your teammates, it gets pretty emotional – it’s exciting.”

Isn’t that what it’s all about?

“Absolutely,” he said.