Terry Camping on IMAX to Recruit Big Brothers

Donald Terry is doing a very unique sort of camping, and he isn't sure when it'll end.

Rosemont's Sacramento City Unified School District Trustee also sits on the board of directors for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento. He's recruiting for that organization by sitting on top of the Esquire IMAX Theatre in downtown Sacramento until 100 new volunteers sign up to be big brothers.

There are currently 107 boys in the greater Sacramento area on a waiting list for big brothers, Terry said.

He and fellow board member Sean O'Brien were hoisted into place by a fire engine ladder Thursday morning, and so far have recruited about 40 new volunteers.

"If I have to stay up here through tomorrow I will," said Terry, who will almost surely miss .

The pair have lawn chairs and a tent in their perch, as well as a bucket to lower down for supplies.

President and CEO Rhonda Staley-Brooks was below at a signup table, and said she would stay until midnight.

The group is also accepting donations for a larger campaign that seeks to raise $100,000 to replace a federal grant that will be eliminated. As of about 4 p.m. Thursday, Terry and O'Brien had raised $10,000.

Terry said he's been a big brother to a Sacramento Charter High School senior for six and a half years–an experience that inspired him to run for school board.

"The kind of things [kids are] dealing with are completely different than what I was dealing with," Terry said. "There are very few after-school programs for them to get involved in. Some of the elements that are around him–[like] crime–are just so much more pervasive than they were when I was growing up."

Terry said volunteering as a big brother requires a commitment of about an hour or two a week.

About 10 years ago, the last time a volunteer drive like this was done, then-CEO Dann Ingrim sat atop the Esquire IMAX Theatre for 72 hours and recruited 185 new volunteers, Staley-Brooks said.

Those interested in volunteering can call 916-646-9300, visit http://www.bbbs-sac.org/, or come to the Esquire IMAX Theatre, 1211 K St.

Update: Terry and O'Brien reached their goal and came down from the theater around 7:30 Friday morning.

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Follow Terry and O'Brien's progress online:

http://twitter.com/esquireImax

http://twitter.com/bbbs_sacramento

http://twitter.com/SOB83

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Brothers-Big-Sisters-of-Greater-Sacramento/140437324728