 Lowell Mannering and Little Brother Grant
by Katie Best
Lowell is self-employed after a long career with Boise Cascade. He is also a member of the BBBS Ambassador team and helps make presentations about being a Big as often as we ask him. He is passionate about letting his generation know about the fun he has volunteering as a Big Brother. Lowell attends most Big Brothers Big Sisters events, whether it is with his wife or as an event volunteer with his Little Brother. He has been matched with Grant for a little over seven years in our Community Program.
If you visit the slopes of Bogus Basin regularly, you have probably noticed Lowell Mannering and Grant racing down Showcase together. Their appearances are as different as their equipment preferences. Lowell, a tall, silver-haired man on skis, and Grant, a cool 15 year old on a snowboard, are an unlikely pair. And yet both consider the other “a real brother” and enjoy continually surprising one another.
Before Lowell met Grant, he didn’t think he was particularly good with kids. Lowell does not have children of his own and “wasn’t sure if I would be able to get along with a younger person.” But he wanted to get involved in the community and had heard others speak highly of their experiences with Big Brothers Big Sisters, so he took a chance and applied.
Grant’s mom, Catherine, called Big Brothers Big Sisters because Grant was a quiet kid that hadn’t learned how to reach out to people. Catherine was worried that he would have a hard time adjusting to their recent move.
Lowell and Grant were both visibly nervous during their first match meeting. Catherine remembers, “Lowell looked like he didn’t know what to do with this little creature and I think Grant was taken aback by Lowell’s age.”
Then Lowell commented on how impressed he was by Grants soccer skills. “After we started talking about soccer, I was surprised about how uninhibited and open he was.” Once they agreed to be matched, they made plans to see each other for next week.
Soon Lowell and Grant were going to Bogus almost every weekend and also signed up to take hunter education courses. Lowell really enjoys taking Grant fishing and says “Hanging out with Grant allows me to do things I never would have done”. Grant’s mom has noticed a difference in the way Grant interacts with people and says “Lowell’s stability is really good for Grant; he can count on him.”
A poignant moment for Lowell came just a few days ago when he and Grant were getting ready to go skiing. When Lowell arrived to pick up Grant, a young man walked towards his car, hair neatly trimmed, and wearing clean-cut clothes. Lowell was surprised by the dramatic difference in Grant’s appearance and said “it is amazing to watch him grow up to be such a nice looking young man. The nine year old little boy I was originally matched with is long gone.”
Grant feels he has had an impact on Lowell as well. When asked what has changed about Lowell since they were first matched, Grant took a moment to think and said “I have definitely made him more fun. We do a lot of cool stuff together.
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