Ninety-two-year-old Darth Hurlburt doesn’t remember the exact date when he became a Big Brother to 70-year-old Tom, and the digital records of our organization don’t even go back that far. But we know that Darth began mentoring the then-teenaged Tom sometime in the 1970s when he was just entering high school and while Darth was also serving as a board member.
The pair was reunited this year to reminisce about their decades-long relationship and the positive effect mentoring through BBBSC had on both of their lives. Tom’s father passed away when he was just 18 months old so he looks to Darth not just as a Big Brother, but as a father figure. Tom credits Darth for helping shape the man he is today, sharing, “When you are around quality people and they influence you it helps you build a foundation. As you go through your life, you hope you’ve built a good foundation. I attribute the person I am today to the people I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved with in my life. The impact that people have who spend time with you when you are young- especially if it’s by choice- goes a long way.” Darth now fondly jokes that after 50 years “I helped him when he was small, and now he can help me!”
To hear more from Darth and Tom, check out our Centennial video or listen to them talk about their match on Colorado Public Radio.