Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida proudly announces Candace Edwards as the 2025 Santa Rosa County Big of the Year. This annual honor recognizes a mentor who exemplifies exceptional commitment, compassion, and service to youth in the community.
Candace has been matched with her Little Sister Evie for nearly three years, during which she has been a steady and compassionate mentor, role model, and friend. The two have formed a deep, lasting bond built on trust, mutual respect, and unconditional support.
Together, Candace and Evie have shared meaningful experiences, ranging from thoughtful conversations during long walks on the beach to delivering goodie bags at an assisted living facility to spread kindness in the community. Their time together has also been filled with joy, laughter, and lasting memories, including spontaneous beach days, creative outings, and heartfelt discussions about life and the future.
Candace's commitment extends beyond just fun outings. She's been a constant source of encouragement for Evie in her academic and extracurricular pursuits, always reminding her of her strength and potential. Through it all, Candace has shown up with patience, compassion, and unwavering support.
On July 25, our staff invited Candace and Evie to join our annual Governing Board Retreat at our Pensacola office to share their story and reflect on their journey as a match. During the presentation, Evie shared how much she values Candace's ability to listen and be fully present—something she cherishes most about their time together.
"I feel like I'm able to communicate with her a lot, and I can have conversations with her that I can't really have with my parents," said Evie. "I feel like it's a real judgment-free zone with Candace. I also like that we get together more often instead of just twice a month, even if it's for shorter outings, it's still fun and I'm able to catch up with her."
After their heartfelt presentation, our team surprised Candace with the Big of the Year award. Her family joined the moment, and Candace—completely caught off guard—was surprised and grateful.
Candace's relationship with Evie is a shining example of the power of one-to-one mentoring and the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters. On behalf of our board and staff, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Candace for her steadfast dedication to empowering youth and for equipping Evie with the tools needed to reach her full potential.
Photo Caption: Little Sister Evie & Big Sister Candace
