Melissa Gross
She signed up for a year and gained a sister for life
Melissa Gross grew up with a younger brother, but never had a sister to share stories and experiences with.
That is until she met Joanna DeMars 12 years ago through the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County.
“I can’t honestly remember what triggered it,” said Gross, nurse manager at University Hospitals and Williamsburg resident.
“Somehow I got turned onto it and just thought it would be a fun opportunity at the time. I wasn’t married, didn’t have a family and I had just completed college.”
Gross became DeMars’ “big sister” when DeMars was 6.
If the weather was nice, the two would spend a lot of time outside. They shared long walks, talks, coloring, shopping and making meatloaf dinners together.
When DeMars got older, they’d go out to dinner or have coffee.
Gross made sure DeMars always included in her life. At her wedding, DeMars was a junior bridesmaid. DeMars also shared in some of Gross’ other milestones, such as the birth of her three children and family celebrations.
DeMars graduated last year from City High and the 18-year-old now is a student at Grinnell College. The two still keep in touch. Every other week, Gross said the two talk just to see how things are going.
“I was just fortunate to get involved with a younger, little girl and she’s turned into a nice, young lady,” Gross said. “Initially, it’s only a year commitment. It just turned into a lot longer.”
Gross gave DeMars the gift of a role model, mentor, and DeMars gave Gross the chance to be have a sister.
“I very much equate Joanna as my sister rather than my friend,” Gross said. “So one of the big joys is not having that opportunity and now I’ve had it through this program.”
— Mike McWilliams
