Little Brother giving back to Big Brothers, Big Sisters

MUSKOKA — Andrew Bridle still considers himself a Little Brother.

Even though he’s grown up, has a baby on the way, and he has two successful businesses on the side.

And he’s a contractor who says he’s “constantly trying to keep up.”

He’s the kind of guy who refuses to settle for just going through life.

The owner of the Pita Pits in Bracebridge and Huntsville is donating $1,000 to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Muskoka, because they fit in with a new corporate initiative called Refuse to Settle.

It’s about eating health and taking care of your body and mind.

It’s about not giving up, says Bridle, who has a soft spot for the “underfunded” group.

Bridle grew up “in a rough part of London.”

And he credits his Big Brother with helping him.

It impacted his life tremendously.

“Without him, my life would be a lot different.

“As every parent or guardian knows, stability and mentorship are important. They can influence and change the future.

The donation is part of corporate initiative called Refuse to Settle, a work/life goal to always strive to be better.

That’s where his business and private life align.

He still sees his Big Brother, who lives in Burlington and is the fire chief in Oakville.

The Big Brother and Little Brother talk often.

“He’s a strong mentor,” more than a decade later, offering guidance on work and play.

That relationship has helped shape Bridle, a regular supporter of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

As well as many local charities.

“I give to almost everything.

“If you want a strong business, you need a strong community – or your community suffers.”

Pita Pit Canada recently launched their Refuse to Settle campaign to be 100 per cent transparent with all consumers and to encourage them to not settle for anything less than nationwide caloric transparency.