It takes a “Big” and “Little” to make a Big Brothers Big Sisters match that changes a kid’s life forever. But it takes a village to make this service possible.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County is looking for some talented volunteers to help with events, decorate trees for their Festival of Trees, serve as board members and more.

If you want to get to know the organization, nominate your pet for this year’s Mayor of Whidbey campaign, running from August to election day in early November. Or attend the Festival of Trees on Nov. 30 in Oak Harbor and Dec. 1 on South Whidbey.

“We match hundreds of children each year with caring adults and I am lucky enough to see what a huge difference the relationships make in those kids’ lives. Our Big Brothers and Big Sisters are among the most dedicated volunteers that I have ever come across. But it takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work to make this program possible,” said Michaela Marx Wheatley, BBBS South Whidbey site director.

BBBS puts on a number of community events to raise money for their programs and the agency needs some volunteers who are willing to pitch in — especially leading up to their main fundraiser in early December, where decorated Christmas trees and wreaths are auctioned off.

“For the past seven years, our tree decorators have done a fantastic job trimming our evergreen masterpieces for the auction,” Wheatley said. “Some long-time decorators will retire this year and we are looking for new talent.”

Decorators need to come up with a theme and find the decorations for their creation. They also need to be available the week after Thanksgiving to decorate their tree at the auction venue.

Longtime decorators and tree committee co-chair women Verna Lawsen and Barb Enberg are happy to share past experiences and their expertise with new additions to the team.

“It’s a fun and creative activity for a group of friends, a garden club or other organization and they could share the end result with the community,” Wheatley said.

Not a creative mastermind, but you still love decorating trees? You could be a helper or apprentice and join one of the team leaders.

Big Brothers Big Sisters also needs help with other aspects of the event ranging from serving on the auction committee, procuring auction items, or helping with set-up or tree delivery.

Big Brothers Big Sisters could use some reliable office help, as well as people willing to serve on its board of directors. Other ways to get involved include being a mentor, donating auction items, sponsoring an event, making a donation of any size or sharing a special skill with matches during a match activity.

To learn more about BBBS, please go to www.bbbsislandcounty.org.

To volunteer, please contact 360-221-6808 ext. 5417 or e-mail mwheatley@sw.wednet.edu.