FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT

DULUTH - A program providing kids with positive role models celebrated a milestone Friday.Mentor Duluth kicked off its 75th anniversary party with a proclamation from the Mayor Don Ness and big plans for the new year.

The party included a stripped down volunteer trying to break a Guinness record for water balloons thrown at a person in a minute.

It's all meant to symbolize the record breaking year the program hopes to have.

"Our goal is on March 1st to recruit 75 mentors in 75 days," Mentor Duluth Program Advocate Cassie Flynn said.

Right now at least 250 kids on the list still need a positive role model.

"The kids are always like when are you going to find me my mentor and it's really hard to have to tell them we're trying to really hard,” said Flynn.

Kids like Terrance MCcray have been waiting for a friend to mentor him for six months.

“Because I could have fun," said MCcray.

He wants someone to take him deer hunting, swimming and to the movies.

"Because they're fun,” said MCcray.

Studies show kids with several positive adults in their lives outside of their family members tend to be more successful.

"A lot of kids just don't have that,” said Flynn. “Whether its they don't have a lot of family or friends in the area or a lot of kids in our program come from single parent homes."

To make a difference in these kids lives all you need to give a little time.

"We ask for mentors to commit to being matched for one year and that they can spend about 8–12 hours a month with their mentees,” said Flynn.

To do fun activities or new things they might not usually have a chance to try.

"You can do anything with your mentee if you go fishing or if you go for walks on the lake walk,” said Flynn.

Mayor Don Ness declared January mentoring month in Duluth at that anniversary party.

Anyone interested in being a mentor can contact mentor Duluth or Superior.