By COOPER SLOUGH
Hays Post

The Ellis County chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters soon will be under new leadership after longtime director Nancy Jeter announced her retirement last month during the nonprofit’s annual telethon.

BBBS is entering its 16th year in Ellis County, and Jeter said it’s fascinating to see some of their original “Littles” again now that they’ve grown up.

“A lot of them have gone on to get married and become parents themselves,” Jeter said, “and I’m so proud of them because they’re wonderful parents. The things they learned from their Big Brother or Big Sister, just having that role model, helped them to become the parents they are today. It’s extremely rewarding.”

Jeter served on the original board of directors in 1999 and has since held several positions within BBBS before becoming executive director of Ellis, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Sheridan and Trego counties.

“I think sometimes people are surprised to learn that there’s such a need for the program in the community,” she explained. “Rural communities are not immune to the problems that plague cities. We have the same problems.”

Since its inception, the Ellis County chapter of BBBS has helped over 1,600 at-risk youth, and Jeter said although she is officially retiring, she won’t be leaving the office any time soon.

“You know, it’s been a great ride,” she said. “I have loved this job, and because of that,I plan to continue volunteering in the office. There’s still a lot of work to be done, and I want to be a part of it.”

For more information about the Ellis County BBBS, visit their website or call (785) 625-6672.