Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County held its third-annual "Big Thanks" Mentor Month Celebration on Saturday at Planet Rock.

About 40 big-little pairs spent the morning scaling the craggy walls inside the facility. Big brothers and sisters held the ropes as little brothers and sisters navigated the climbing walls, encouraged by their bigs on the ground.

In recognition of National Mentoring Month, Big Brothers Big Sisters is calling on volunteers and donors to help support the thousands of children in Washtenaw County who need mentors, says Jennifer Spitler, executive director.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the nation’s largest donor-supported volunteer network of long-term mentors for youths. BBBS of Washtenaw County is part of a network of nearly 400 agencies helping about 255,000 youths - primarily children of single, low-income and incarcerated parents, according to Spitler.

Spitler said the hope is that volunteers and donors step forward this month, so that all bigs and littles who are ready to be paired can begin a long, successful mentoring match - supported by Big Brothers Big Sisters professionals who are committed to helping vulnerable children beat the odds.

Ryan J. Stanton is a digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.