It’s National Mentor Month. And with January in full swing, many programs are highlighting the positive benefits mentors can have on the lives of local young people. Shelby Levins reports.

The Chickasaw Nation Boys and Girls Club of Sulphur started its mentoring program three years ago. Today the program has 15 kids and say it's always looking for more mentors. The children say those volunteers make a world of difference in their lives.

This is what Payton Szalaj looks forward to every afternoon -- fun at the Boys an Girls Club. But the Sulphur fifth grader says it's the one-on-one time she gets to spend with the mentors that she enjoys the most.

"It makes me feel like I’m important, like I can do something without my parents being there."

As an 11-year-old, Payton says that's a pretty special feeling. But it's not just the young ones that walk away with a smile. Benny Wallace and his wife Joni are both mentors who enjoy being part of the program, but both say the kids are the focus.

"It's not really for us, but just to see their reaction to you and smiles - you know you've done something if they're smiling,” Joni Wallace said.

"I just love to play and have a good time with them. It’s not something I have to do, it's something I want to do,” Benny Wallace said.

The Chickasaw Nation Boys a Girls Club started the mentoring program back in September of 2007. The program is funded by the National Congress of American Indians, but its mission is to strength the youth of the entire community, and it's open to all kids.

"We're not just Chickasaws we're Oklahomans, and so we're part of all the communities in Oklahoma that our people live in. We definitely have it in our mission to reach out to everyone,” Jay Keel with the Chickasaw Nation explained.

Right now there are 15 children in the program, but it’s in need of more volunteers, and hopes to incorporate more kids. Volunteers spend at least an hour a week with their kids and Payton says those 60 minutes are usually the highlight of her week.

If you'd like to be a volunteer mentor with the Chickasaw Nation Boys and Girls club, contact Stormy Busby by phone at 580-622-8302 or via email – stormy.busby@chickasaw.net