Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas opened a new museum about mentoring at its Irving headquarters Thursday.

Photos by G.J. McCARTHY/DMN

Linda Stanley, president of Big Brothers Big Sisters Abilene Inc., and regional executive director Tim Yandell toured exhibits Thursday at the Big Brothers Big Sisters T. Boone Pickens Mentoring Hall of Fame museum in Irving.

The T. Boone Pickens Mentoring Hall of Fame's featured exhibits will include videos about how mentors have changed people's lives.

Pickens donated $1.25 million to create the center, which officials hope will inspire more people to get involved.

"We hope people will come in and experience what it's all about," said Chad Gibson, curator.

Some facts about the organization and the museum:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas matched 9,044 children with mentors in 2008.

• About 2,500 kids are waiting for mentors.

• The nonprofit agency especially needs men to mentor.

• Each mentor-child match costs the agency $1,000, from screening volunteers to providing support to the volunteers and the children they're helping. Services are free to the children.

• The museum will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• To become a mentor, contact 1-888-887-BIGS or go to www.bbbstx.org.

• For more information about the museum, go to www.mentoringhof.org.

Kim Horner