The essay about Mr. Titus was written by Big Brothers and Big Sisters case manager Joanne Wohlmuth.

When asked "What attracted you to want to volunteer for BBBS" Alan Titus replied: "I've seen too many people retire to the leisure life. When we retired here I wanted to give back to the community. I wanted to get involved with youth and education. I felt BBBS was a more comprehensive mentoring programme which provided a greater flexibility for my schedule."

On April 24, 2006 Alan Titus became matched with Khalil Burch. In all the years, months and days that they have been matched, Alan's commitment and devotion to his match relationship with Khalil has been as unwavering as the next inhalation.

Everybody knows Alan Titus at Big Brothers Big Sisters. It is not unusual to be informed on any given day that "Mr. Titus called".

This can be translated as "Mr. Persistent-Unyielding-Concerned-A-Little-Tense-Yet-Committed-And-Dedicated-To-His-Match-Always", is on the phone.

When Alan Titus first became a Big Brother, he immediately took a keen interest in his Little Brother Khalil's education and has been instrumental in assisting Khalil's mother in guiding and directing Khalil's education and career path.

Whichever school Khalil has been enrolled in, you can guarantee the school principal, the guidance counsellor and perspective teachers all know Mr. Titus as the Big Brother for Khalil Burch and that he is happy to meet with them to get to know how Khalil is doing, and, that he is willing to assist (of course all with mother's permission) Khalil in his school development in whatever way that he can.

If you talk to Khalil about his Big Brother Alan Titus, he would say "he is very interested in my education and my direction and development as a young person and is willing to do whatever he can to hep. Also he listens to me and always shows an interest in what concerns me".

Alan Titus takes the prize for "most frequent communicator about my Little Brother", which is not only rewarding for him but for all those on the receiving end of his communications.

It demonstrates that he really cares and appreciates how the Big Brother Big Sister programme operates, in order to provide the maximum support for one's Little.

How can you not respond, when someone is so dedicated that telephone calls, cell phone calls, e-mail on the job, e-mail off the job, e-mails sent from vacation destinations hum to you "I care about my Little Brother... I hope you do too!!"

Although Alan Titus knows how to have fun and stops at nothing to show his Little Brother a good time, his match relationship appears to be a holistic one — one that involves all ingredients: fun, loving support, and discernment or compass-led direction. These ingredients will no doubt influence his Little Brother for the rest of his life.

Alan Titus is a fine example of a special Big Brother to Little Brother Khalil. It is a delight to know that he is being nominated for this award.