BANGOR – When Chris Olsen first thought about becoming a Big Brother, he wasn’t sure he was capable of providing the special kind of friendship to a young man that the program warranted. Then a friend sparked the realization that it couldn’t be as hard as working in a corrections office like he had all those years past.

“It’s not rocket science,” said Olsen, now an 18-year veteran of the program. “It’s just about being a friend to a young man. I get just as much out of it, if not more, as the kids.”

Olsen has been a Big Brother since 1987 to four young men. His current match, with Little Brother David, began in 1997.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said David, who has shot past his Big Brother in height. “We just go out and do lots of stuff. We’ve been to Bangor Symphony concerts and I’ve learned how to throw a [flying disk] really well.”

After 18 years of being a dedicated Big Brother, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Maine will bid Olsen farewell later this month on David’s 18th birthday, when their match closes. Although Olsen will no longer serve with the program, the family he has created with each of his former Little Brothers will continue to grow.

Olsen still remembers how his first Little Brother was on the waiting list to be matched with a Big Brother for four and a half years. He loves to brag about his second Little Brother, who recently became a new dad. And he laughs when he thinks back on his third Little Brother, who was very shy until he and Olsen participated in a soapbox derby. Years later, that once-shy Little Brother now manages his own lawn care business and is an expectant father.

David is Olsen’s fourth Little Brother, and the two have been matched for the last eight years. Olsen’s wife says their families have become so close that the two have truly become like brothers.

“Even though our match will officially be over, we’re still going to stay close,” Olsen said. “He’s become like family.”

Perhaps the magic that occurred behind each of Olsen’s matches is the ability for his Little Brother to bring out the kid in him, and Olsen’s ability to bring out the young man in his Little Brother.

Olsen works with Prudential Northeast Properties in Bangor. He involves himself in any way he can to benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.