Big Brother Allen and Little Brother Greg: A Lasting Bond

Getting Started with Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Indiana began serving the Muncie area in the early 1970s. Allen, a graduate at Ball State University and Youth Director at the local YMCA, learned about BBBS as Bigs and Littles received free passes to the YMCA. When a BBBS staff member introduced the program to Allen and his coworkers, sharing the need for positive role models, Allen decided to get involved.

First Matched

Shortly after signing up, Allen was matched with a young man recently enrolled in the program. During the match process, Allen learned he lived nearby, had a single mother and two brothers. It didn’t take long during discussions with the BBBS representative before Allen realized he already knew who his match was…it was the Greg he knew from the YMCA activities and Camp Crosley encounters he’d had. Greg, around 10 years old, had sold candy to earn credit to attend camp, and Allen, as a camp counselor at the time, had helped him connect with other campers. Allen was pleased to be matched with Greg, whom he saw as bright, talented, and very level-headed.

Memorable Experiences Together

Friendship came naturally for Allen and Greg, who spent time together almost every day after school at the YMCA. Greg had a small desk in Allen’s office for some occasional homework, but generally they would just hang out and talk. Ping Pong, Pool, Video Games, Foosball, and Basketball were the usual subjects of the day when they were at the “Y”. Their weekends were filled with shared activities like football, movies, Putt-Putt, video arcades, Pizza King, batting cages, and Allen’s efforts to pass his limited golfing skills on to Greg…opinions vary on his success. During the summer, there were occasional weekends spent at Allen’s parent’s lake cottage where they swam, jet skied and enjoyed time with his family, including Allen’s girlfriend Margaret, the future Mrs. Allen Baskett.

The years brought many memories, filled with entertaining stories and shenanigans, such as saving a jet ski from crashing into a pier once (may or may not have been Greg’s doing), and a bucket of popcorn spilled during a scary movie (possibly also Greg).

“I pretty much saw him every day and had the opportunity to sit back and—not only helped mold me and make me into the person I am today—but I also got to sit back and watch him work around all his peers and all of his upper management at the Y,” Greg recalls.

As Allen’s relationship with Margaret developed, Greg became part of their lives and activities. When Allen and Margaret got engaged, Greg was included in their Chicago wedding ceremony. Greg fondly remembers getting lost with Allen’s dad while returning to the hotel after stopping for sliders at White Castle, using an old road atlas to find their way back to the hotel.

Lessons Learned

Greg recalls a valuable lesson he learned during his time with Allen at the lake house. There was a rule not to go beyond the bend in the lake that would take him out of the view of the adults on shore. But Greg decided to ride the jet ski to Camp Crosley to visit a friend. That indiscretion cost Greg the use of the jet ski for the rest of the weekend.

“It taught me a lesson about having a responsibility, being trustworthy,” said Greg. “Doing the right thing when nobody's looking and having some integrity when nobody's watching.”

Greg learned many life lessons by observing Allen’s leadership at the YMCA. Allen’s approach to resolving conflicts—stepping back, listening, and considering others’ perspectives—left a lasting impression on Greg.

“I took so much away from that. I would say he didn't really instill it in me. It was just something that I absorbed like a sponge and took it with me, and I've carried it with me till this day,” Greg explained.

Parting and Reconnecting

After several years, Allen moved from Muncie to Cincinnati for new YMCA experiences, ending their match. To ensure Greg continued with a mentor, Allen asked his coworker and former roommate, Shark, to become Greg’s Big Brother. Shark kept Allen updated on Greg’s progress, and Allen occasionally checked in with Greg’s mother through junior high and high school. Eventually, after Greg graduated from BBBS, the two lost contact.

About 12 years later, while at his parents’ lake house, Allen had surprise visitors: Greg and his fiancée, Linda. Greg wanted Linda to see places that mattered to him growing up and took the opportunity to reconnect with Allen. During the visit, Greg asked Allen to be a part of his wedding, just as he had done for Allen years before. After rekindling their friendship, Allen and Greg committed to staying in touch.

Staying Connected

Allen and Greg now keep in touch through messages, often joking about football games, and meeting up when Allen visits Muncie. Allen and Margaret attended Greg and Linda’s anniversary celebration and also watched Greg play basketball. Greg, now a grandfather and bar owner, continues to impress Allen with his resilience and achievements.

Allen expressed his pride in Greg, saying, “He was one of the smartest kids I knew at the time. He's got a good head on his shoulders, and he was able to get through some tough periods in his life. I’m so very proud of him.”

When Greg’s mother passed, Allen and Margaret’s presence at the funeral was deeply meaningful to Greg.

“I don’t know if Allen knew what he had given me all those years and all the memories that I hold dear in my heart,” Greg shared.

Allen added, “He’s just one of those young men who had all the odds against them, and now, he’s an outstanding man, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. I am a lucky man having the opportunity to be a part of Greg’s life!”

Allen’s Continued Involvement: Real Men Read

Allen’s journey with BBBS did not end with Greg. After Margaret saw a social media post about Real Men Read, a program where male mentors read to 2nd or 3rd graders, Allen joined and is now in his third year. He enjoys the creative books and thoughtful discussion questions provided by BBBS, which keep students engaged.

Allen values giving children exposure to new ideas and experiences, saying, “As I'm leaving the students each day, I'm energized by their interest and enthusiasm. They enjoy the stories, and I enjoy telling them. That’s what makes this program so special!”

Be Big!

Thank you, Allen and Greg, for sharing your inspiring story.

To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters programs, visit www.bbbsnei.org or call 260-456-1600.