One of the most impactful connections a Fergus resident has had in her life, was the experience of having a big sister from the Big Brothers Big Sisters program when she was a child.

Katie Pope, co-owner of Motion Electrical Contracting Inc., lost her father in a tragic way when she was nine-years-old, living in Orangeville at the time, her mother enrolled her in the program to become a little sister.

Pope said her big sister gave her the undivided attention she needed during a difficult period in her life.

“And I didn’t realize what that meant obviously when I was a child, I was so excited and happy to see this person and I looked forward to seeing my big [sister], but in hindsight I didn’t realize what that investment was that she was contributing,” Pope said.

Later in life, Pope went on to become a board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Centre Wellington.

She said it’s been a phenomenal experience being a board member for the agency.

“I get to work with amazing community members who care so much about the youth of this community,” Pope expressed. “The fabulous innovative ideas […], especially through COVID-19, that everybody brings to the table to help to continue to ensure the success of the agency.”

Pope said she often looks back on her experience because it was so incredibly positive, and she wonders what path she would have taken had she not had some of that really solid understanding of what could be.

“Not necessarily what my world was at that time, but what could be, what could, you know, a healthy positive relationship look like, what could a really strong work ethic look like, what could being selfless look like,” Pope said.

Through fundraising efforts, it only took Motion Electrical Contracting Inc. three months (Oct., Nov., Dec. 2020) to raise $11,520 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Centre Wellington.

Pope credits the company’s office coordinator, Sarah Machin, for all her help with the fundraiser.

Katie Pope, co-owner of Motion Electrical Contracting Inc: