By RYAN CHRISTNER

rchristner@dailynews.net

Typically, Big Brothers Big Sisters only asks for a couple hours of a volunteer's time per week.

It's a small price, considering the effect that time has had on the more than 750 children who have been matched since the Ellis County chapter was formed eight years ago.

In order to maintain that positive influence, BBBS will have its fifth-annual "Christmas for Kids" telethon next month.

Broadcast live from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 7 at James Motor Co., the event promises to be as fun and emotional as ever, organizers say.

"It's like (a Jerry Lewis telethon) on a real small, cheesy scale," BBBS Executive Director Nancy Jeter said, laughing.

Jeter again will help host the fundraiser alongside event chairwoman Jana Jordan and Eagle Communications Chief Executive Officer Gary Shorman.

Mimicking the daily roller-coaster of emotions that comes from being a part of the BBBS organization, Jeter said the telethon will have "a lot of laughs, a lot of tears."

Entertainment will come from several area school music and singing groups, and callers will be able to vote on their favorite, with the top group receiving a $500 prize.

Balancing that will be reunions of past "Bigs," as they're affectionately called by group members, and those they used to mentor as well as interviews with children currently waiting for matches.

"They'll be talking about what they want for Christmas," Jeter said, "and those five have on their list to get a Big Brother."

Even with those testimonials, Jeter said the telethon can't accurately capture the necessity of volunteers.

"It's hard to tell a story and let the community know the impact that they're making," she said.

People are encouraged to call in a pledge or, if the donation is of $100 or more, visit the site at 4 p.m. to be personally thanked on the air.

Of course, donations of any amount are welcome, and those who send in contributions of $25 or more by Nov. 30 will be recognized in the telethon's credits.

Although BBBS has matched 93 kids since last year's event, the organization is in roughly the same shape as it was then, with 64 children on its waiting list.

While every volunteer is considered a gift, Jeter said the group most often finds itself with a lack of male participants.

From her experience, she said many men don't feel like they would make a good role model or are unsure what are appropriate activities to engage in with a little boy.

Often, she said, most children just enjoy watching football on TV.

"It's just those simple little things that they love the most, because it's like they're learning how to be a man," she said.

Couples and families are also in high demand as volunteers.

National research has shown the many positive affects mentoring can have on a child.

According to statistics on the BBBS national organization Web site, about 46 percent of children are less likely to use drugs and 52 percent are less likely to skip school, with many showing improvement in their schoolwork and getting along better with their families.

"Sometimes it's that someone believes in ourselves before we even believe in ourselves," Jeter said.

The telethon will be broadcast on Eagle Cable channel 14 and on KHAZ 99.5 FM.

"It's going be a cool telethon if we can pull it off," Jeter said.