May 2019 Happy Spring! I recently went to the St. Cloud Shines Kickoff event. St. Cloud Shines is a campaign initiated in January 2019 by the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation to generate and share the good things happening across the Greater St. Cloud region. I found myself surrounded by like-minded people - people who love the Central Minnesota area and call it home. It made me pause and consider that 50+ years ago business leaders got together with a positive vision of bringing the country’s #1 mentoring program to Central Minnesota. What direction would our thousands of kids’ lives have gone if these people hadn’t stepped forward to say, “We care about our community, we care about kids and we’re doing something about it.” Thank goodness we had founders with this vision and community members who believed in that vision. The event also made me think about the weaving of the community fabric that Big Brothers Big Sisters is a part of. We aren’t just a cute tassel or sequin to add a splash of color. No, we are part of the fabric, just as the local businesses are. We help to add strength to what makes this such a rich area to live in.  We operate out of a sense of gratitude knowing that we wouldn’t be here without all of you who make it possible to carry out a vision relevant 50 years ago, and relevant today. Thank you!  Jackie Johnson Executive Director P.S. SAVE THE DATE: Join us July 10 at Summertime By George! with the Fabulous Armadillos! U.S. Bank is sharing their night with us to celebrate our first 50 years with the community! Big thanks to Coborn’s and Bernick’s / Klarbrunn for helping us mark this special anniversary as well.

A BIG CELEBRATION! Each year at the Big Celebration we recognize volunteers who go above and beyond in their role as mentors. The following mentors were selected to receive an award for the significant impact they’ve had on their “Little”/mentee and their advocacy of the mentoring program. Big Brother of the Year: Joe Maiers, St. Cloud, mentor for 10 years Big Sister of the Year: Hope Hippler, Sartell, mentor for 6 years Big Family of the Year: Jason & Jen Carlson and their daughter Ruby, Sauk Rapids, mentors for 2 years High School Big Brother of the Year: Alex Foss, Foley High School, mentor for 3 years High School Big Sister of the Year: Jes Lemke, Sartell High School, mentor for 2 years Big Sister of the Year, Hope Hippler, offers the following advice to anyone considering volunteering, “if you want to feel young, mentor a Little. You aren’t too old. Your Little will adore you. You will bring joy and meaning to your life by defending your Little’s potential.”

DR. POTTER BIGS ON CAMPUS A BIG SUCCESS!

Since 2016, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota, St. Cloud State University, and the St. Cloud Area School District have partnered in a unique opportunity for local youth, called Dr. Potter Bigs on Campus Mentoring Initiative. The mentoring program brings local youth to the university and immerses them in the possibilities of post-secondary education. The late Dr. Earl H. Potter III, former President of St. Cloud State University, was a longtime supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters and an eager partner early-on in the initiative. His commitment to Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Bigs on Campus initiative inspired the program to be named in his honor. Students involved with the Dr. Potter Bigs on Campus Mentoring Initiative are bused to campus twice monthly to meet one-to-one with a caring, positive mentor. The mentoring matches spend their time together exploring campus, participating in on-campus activities, and touring different academic departments. Dr. Potter’s daughter, Margaret, participates as a mentor in the program. His wife, Christine Potter, thinks the program is the perfect way to honor her late husband’s legacy . "Earl had such a big heart, and a vision for the way the world could be if we all just opened our hearts," Christine said. Since the pilot year, the program has quadrupled in size. It began with 13 mentoring matches during the 2016-2017 school year, and hopes to match 55 local youth during the 2019-2020 school year. Last week, the program participants and community supporters gathered on campus to celebrate the conclusion of another successful year. St. Cloud Area School District Superintendent, Willie Jett, addressed the crowd stating, "If you read the newspapers, if you check social media, in the last few weeks there are moments in time where you can become frustrated with humanity, but when I look out into this room, it's this thing it gives us hope. It's hope between young people who are thriving and wanting mentorship and wanting to be able to connect, and it's nice to be able see that there are adults in the community that actually care about young people, the future, and the community."  Many of the matches will continue in the program next year. The program will also introduce new students to this life-changing opportunity. With the addition of new youth to the program, comes the need for more mentors. Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director, Jackie Johnson, states, “this program really speaks to those who have very busy after work hours and weekends. This program is twice a month, an hour per time, and it runs from September to May. It's about a 20-hour commitment for an entire year, but it isn't less than any other program as far as its impact.” The initiative would not have been possible without the help of many dedicated community partners including: Spanier Bus Company, CentraCare Health Foundation, and Women’s Fund of Central MN.

DOUBLE YOUR DONATION! On June 17, the stage lights go up and Chris Owen, Deerwood Bank , will be dancing with pro, Rachel Trout, to raise funds to support Big and Little Sisters at the Women's Fund of Central Minnesota Community Foundation's Dancing With Our Stars event and we need your help to win! Vote with your dollars! We are SO EXCITED to announce that your gift will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $15,000 thanks to the Barb Anderson and Dave Chandler Dancing With Our Stars Challenge Match ! In fact, your gift could be matched again- if Chris and Rachel win, we will win the top prize of another $15,000! Now's the time to click here and vote with your dollars! We also want to give a big thanks to Deerwood Bank for their $2,500 gift! We are well on our way, but we need you - don't let any of those Challenge Match dollars twirl away! Chris and Rachel will be competing against five other charities with the top pair winning another $15,000 for their charity. 60% of the judging depends on the amount of funds raised and 40% on their dance. Text DWOS to 85511 or click here to help us win for kids today!

Save the Date for the BIGGEST Bowling Party of the Year! If you miss it, you'll strike out on the most fun way to raise funds for kids all year! We will spare you the details now, but just get these dates on your calendar! Sunday, October 13 at 12:00 pm McPete's Sports Bar and Lanes - Big Lake Friday, October 4 at 1:00 pm & Saturday, October 5 at 7:30 pm Great River Bowl & Partners Pub - Sartell Sunday, October 27 at 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm The Underground at Atwood Memorial Hall - SCSU

Our 2019 Big Family of the Year, Jen, Jason, and Ruby Carlson have been matched with their Little Sister Amelia for two years. As a Match, they spend quality time together doing various activities such as arts & crafts, baking, board games, and going for walks. Jen and Jason are positive role models for Amelia to look up to. Since they are close in age, Ruby and Amelia have grown to have a unique and special bond. Amelia’s match with the Carlson family has helped Amelia improve academically, gain confidence, and believe in herself. Knowing she has a whole family, outside of her own, to support and encourage her has truly changed her life for the better, forever.

ARE YOU ON THE LIST? Big Brother Thomas Otto and Isaias are! These two both love sports and are looking forward to teaching each other a few new things. The school contact at Madison has been telling our Program Coordinator, Robyn, all year that Isaias asks her on an almost weekly basis when he is going to get a Big. When he finally met Thomas, he was SO excited, he couldn't wipe the smile off of his face! He was also very excited to tell the Madison staffer that he was finally getting his Big! You can make a kid's day too. As you are considering being a Big, check out our current list of new Matches. We would also like to congratulate these Matches who are celebrating milestone anniversaries ! We ask all Bigs to commit to at least one year of mentorship- that one year of consistency makes a BIG difference in the life of a child.

THANK YOU TO ST. CLOUD SUBARU! This month’s highlighted Agency Sponsor is Scott Bement and his team at St. Cloud Subaru . His dealership exemplifies what community engagement through business ownership can accomplish. Scott is a Big Brother through our Bigs on Campus program, meeting twice a month with his Little Brother at St. Cloud State University. He is also a member of our Advisory Committee. St. Cloud Subaru has been supporting our agency for over 10 years strong and participates in events like the Dealership Challenge, part of our upcoming Bowl For Kids’ Sake fundraiser happening in October. We are grateful for all of our Community Partners. Check out this list and the next time you are at that business or organization, please thank them for standing with kids!

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