Join us for a fun and low key fitness class from the comfort of your home! Kelli Nadeau from Foley Snap Fitness will guide us through a workout and talk about her experience as a Big and how exercise can make a BIG impact in your life! Please wear comfortable clothing for this virtual event. Matches will have the opportunity to interact with each other after the fitness class.   Please RSVP: Email Mary@BigDefenders.org by noon on November 6th.

Fall Color: Go for a hike or take drive to experience the leaves changing colors. Click here for more information on where leaf color is at its peak.

Pumpkin Patch: It's now officially Autumn. Time for crisp, cool, sunny days and a visit to a pumpkin patch Click here for more information.

October 5th is Do Something Nice Day! Do Something Nice Day is a day to do something nice for someone. It doesn't matter how big or how small, doing something nice is good for both the giver and the receiver. Matches can shares ideas on something nice they can do for someone whether it is a smile, a compliment or offering to help someone.

Our Community-Based Matches receive discounts at various businesses just for being a Match in our program. Click here to view where you can be receiving discounts together with your match discount card!

Hemker Zoo $8 ticket for Big and $8 ticket for Little.

A&G Corn Maze $1 off admission for Big and Little during daytime hours of the corn maze.

REGISTER TODAY!

Go Big for Kids' Sake is Presented By:

Listed below are several online resources. Please visit our BBBS website for a more extensive listing. America's Promise Alliance COVID-19 Resource Collection Check your school district's website for info regarding free lunch and/or breakfast food service. Comic for kids to help explain COVID-19 A list of resources to help you keep a consistent learning environment while kids are out of school Guide to help caregivers and families cope with COVID-19 Comcast Opens Xfinity WiFi Network Nationally for Free Search Institute: 10 Ways to Respond to Fear and Scapegoating During the Coronavirus Epidemic Article - Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus Blog post by Jill Amsberry, DO - Talking to Children about COVID-19 Sesame Street in Communities - Health Emergencies - Resources for parents and caregivers for helping children through health emergencies On-line Learning Resources, Apps and Games for Kids: Virtual learning for kids of all ages.

Program Staff Contact Information

Please contact our staff if you have any questions regarding matches. Ann Matvick, Program Director   Ann@BigDefenders.org 320.258.4517    Jamie Lodermeier, Program Coordinator Jamie@BigDefenders.org  320.258.4532   Kayla Meyer, Program Coordinatoor  Kayla@BigDefenders.org 320.241.7996   Mary Bellefeuille, Program Coordinator  Mary@BigDefenders.org  320.258.4538   Rebecca Fonss, Program Coordinator   Rebecca@BigDefenders.org 320.258.4519   Robyn Rieland, Program Coordinator  Robyn@BigDefenders.org  320.258.4512  Tasha Bruns-Notsch, Program Coordinator   Tasha@BigDefenders.org  320.258.4516

Hey BIGS!! Do you know someone who would be a great mentor to a child in our community? Use the above Big Nomination graphic by sending it to them. You could message it, text it, print and hand deliver, or post it on their social media. Let them KNOW that you could see them as a BIG! We are now holding Info Sessions online via Zoom- let's create a waiting list of Bigs!

Listed below are several community resources. MN Warm Line Peer Support Connection - WHO TO CALL. Lists numbers to call for questions related to COVID-19, mental health concerns or just to talk. Click here for Who To Call Phone Numbers List. Free or Reduced Price Lunches for Kids - Several local businesses offering free or reduced-price meals to children. Please click here to see a complete list. Food Relief Bags - Catholic Charities Emergency Services continues to provide access to food to those in need. Food relief bags will be available for pick-up at the locations below. Catholic Charities Emergency Services,157 Roosevelt Road Suite 100 from 1-7 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m.-noon Fridays.  Catholic Charities Mobile Food Shelf, Please click here for locations, days and times. For more information call Catholic Charities Emergency Services at 800-830-8254 or visit their website Catholic Charities Emergency Services. Closures and Cancellations - Many state and local government offices are restricting their office hours. Click here for more information. Metro Bus - Saturday Schedule for all Routes. Click here for more information. United Way 2-1-1 Resource Hotline - United Way is encouraging anyone who may be in need of assistance accessing food, or any other essential service, to dial 2-1-1 or text MNCOVID to 898-211. Click here for more information. Local Business Information - Many businesses are closed or have reduced their hours. Some stores and restaurants are offering curbside pick up or delivery. Click here for more information. Great River Library - Even though the library is closed many services are still being offered. Information on returning books, overdue books, registering for a library card and more! Click here for more information. Local Information and Resources - Links to business, health and entertainment resources Visit Greater St. Cloud website.

STAY CONNECTED

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