The push is on to recruit more volunteers to serve as "big brothers" and "big sisters", according to the executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Pikes Peak, April Speake.

Today, Colorado Springs' Mayor Lionel Rivera stood on the steps of City Hall to declare August 9th through August 15th Big Brothers Big Sisters Week in the city. The proclamation's intended to raise awareness of the organization in the community.

Big Brothers Big Sisters, or BBBS, expects to help 450 youngsters during the course of this year. But without community volunteers, Speake says she fears some kids will end up having to go without an important role model, or wait longer to get one.

Aaron Green spends an hour or so every week with the young boy he's taken under his wing as a "little brother", Isaiah. Green and Isaiah today play Frisbee on the lawn outside City Hall, showing off their best moves while sharing jokes.

Green says, "I was going to try to do a trick catch." Isaiah has a comeback, "Yeah, trying to be Terrell Owens," referring to the Denver Broncos' former star receiver.

They were matched up through the BBBS program, after Isaiah's grandmother hear about the program through a case worker. Isaiah says, "You can go out and have fun, because especially during the summer, you don't have nothing (sic) to do."

Green always knew he wanted to get involved in the program as a way of giving back, since he himself had a "big brother" mentor while growing up.

"It really made an impact on me to have that reliable friend that you can go out and do fun stuff with, nice to have a friend that wasn't your age, and wasn't your parent," Green says.

Speake, who helped draft the proclamation delivered today by Mayor Rivera, is worried that the economic downturn may be putting more stress on families and could put more children in line to need the services of BBBS.

"We don't want children to wait longer and longer. We have some boys who are waiting a year now to get a mentor," Speake says.

For that reason, the organization is calling their initiative, "60 Men in 60 Days", a reflection of the need for male adult mentors in particular.

Mayor Rivera has served as a "big brother" since 1993, matched up with youngsters with whom he spends an hour and a half each week.

"If I can do it, you can, too," he told the crowd gathered at today's ceremony.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Week includes several activities. Tomorrow, participants in the program will get a first-hand look at the work of the Air Force Reserves' 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson AFB. The tour is by invite only.

Wednesday, the public can show their support for the program by attending Big Brothers Big Sisters Night at Sky Sox Stadium. The game is set to start at 7:05 pm.

Thursday, BBBS is asking members of the military to consider becoming a "big brother" or "big sister", with its Military Mentor Sign-up Day.

Friday, the public is invited to enjoy lunch or dinner at ITZ, off Powers Boulevard, where a mention of Big Brothers Big Sisters while ordering specific meal and game packages will bring a portion of the proceeds to be donated to BBBS.

If you would like more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters Week, to learn how to volunteer, or if you'd like to donate, you can contact BBBS at 719-633-2443, or online at www.biglittlecolorado.org.