‘Big Brother’ Aguayo is following his calling, making memories
Fred Rogers, the man known to generations as Mr. Rogers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, famously said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” Who are the helpers in our community? Where can we find them? How can we each be a helper in our own way?
Local business owners and leaders in nonprofits and civic groups promoting events and programs all know Laz Aguayo is a helper.
Not only will he help them place an ad in the News-Journal where he is the advertising representative, but he’s also always willing to share more than 30 years of experience in marketing to help them get their messages out to customers, neighbors and friends in Mitchell County.
But that’s his profession. Mentoring is his calling.
“I always wanted to do that,” he said. “I always wanted to be one. Someone from Big Brothers Big Sisters gave a talk at the Rotary. That was my chance.”
Aguayo was one of the first people to sign up to be a “Big” in Mitchell County. But at first, it didn’t seem like his dream was going to work out.
There were no-shows, kids who had second thoughts and didn’t show up for first meetings, and matches that just didn’t work out.
“It was six or seven months later when Melissa called and I met Isaac,” Aguayo said. “He’s 15. Now we meet every week. We’ve done some amazing things. It’s been pretty cool. It’s done a lot for me.”
Aguayo and his wife Olga, another well-known helper at Deyton Elementary School, have lived in Bakersville for 35 years.
Their plan had been to retire in the High Country, but when Laz’s parents died unexpectedly and close together, the young couple decided to go ahead and make the move from Florida to Mitchell County.
They packed up their 2-year-old son and made their home in the mountains. They didn’t wait.
“Nothing is promised,” Aguayo said. “I’m grateful for the time Isaac and I have together.”
For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters in Mitchell County or how you can help, contact Program Coordinator Melissa Blevins Dale at AMY@bbbswnc.org or 385-2703.