January 2023
Hello Friend!
What does a new year mean to you? A fresh start? More of the same? A time to evaluate and explore where your efforts and resources go? An opportunity to make some changes that you know would be good for you? A time to swap out calendars?
Historically for me it has been a combination of all of the above. This year I’m setting out, once again, to make better health choices. I do some things well, but in other areas (hello exercise) I am very much lacking. Being raised on the farm I can still hear “if you have time to do that, then you have time to pick rocks.” Seriously, I haven’t picked rocks for more than 40 years and that tape is still playing.
One healthy decision that I made last year that I am for sure continuing is being a Big Sister. It brings me joy to be with my Little Sister, to slow down and focus on building houses with sticky-notes, to just be. We have known for decades that volunteering is beneficial to the volunteer’s health and happiness. Just Google it and in less than one second, you’ll have over 200 million sites pop up. To help make Central Minnesota happier – and help our local youth – this month we’re kicking off our ‘2,023 Reasons to Be Big in 2023’ recruiting campaign. Between January 1 and February 15, we’re on a quest to find 100 adults interested in becoming a mentor. January is also National Mentor Month, so follow along on social media as we highlight Bigs in our various programs and hear from them how becoming a mentor has changed their life for the better.
Whatever you determine your reason is – to make a new friend, to be happier, to help your community – I urge you to become a volunteer to advance your values by sharing your efforts and resources. The reward will come back to you, too.
We are so grateful for all of our supporters who make it possible for kids’ lives to be changed with a caring mentor. We need each and everyone of you! And more, so tell your friends 😊
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Jackie S. Johnson
Executive Director
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MEET SAM & JOSH!
Sam Buerger and Josh are a Foley school-based match, and have been matched since February of 2022! They keep busy doing all sorts of activities together such as building Lego sets, playing games in the school gym, and board games.
Their friendship has grown so much, and they love to have fun and laugh with each other!
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Paige Fiedler and Lyric are!
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THANK YOU, FOLEY HIGH SCHOOL MN HONOR SOCIETY!
This month’s Partner Spotlight goes to the Foley High School Minnesota Honor Society. On Dec. 10, the group hosted Breakfast with Santa, with most of the proceeds from the fundraiser coming back to BBBS of Central Minnesota. Not only did the group organize and serve breakfast, they also put together a silent auction, had Christmas backdrops set up for photos, and had crafts and games for kids of all ages. Thank you, FHS Minnesota Honor Society, for supporting BBBS and youth mentoring!
We are grateful to all our Community Partners. Check out these lists, and the next time you are at that business or organization, please thank them for standing with kids!
If you have questions about how your business can get involved with BBBS of Central MN, contact Emily Steinmetz at 320-258-4515 or [email protected].
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TAKING OVER THE LANES
More than 30 people made it to Great River Bowl in Sartell for a night of bowling on the alley's private lanes in December! Everyone had a great time, and really enjoyed when management turned on the fun lights over the lanes and cranked up the music! Thanks to Great River Bowl for an awesome evening for our matches!
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BUILD-A-SNOWMAN
Plenty of snow fell outside during the month of December, but our matches in the Foley School District got to make snowmen in a temperature-controlled environment! The group got crafty and decorated wooden snowmen that served as centerpieces for the annual Breakfast with Santa. Thanks to Foley Lumber for donating the wood for the project!
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A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES
A group of matches got VIP treatment in December thanks to our friends and partners at Thrivent Member Network - Northland Region. Thrivent rented out a private theater for the group to watch Strange World, and they also got water and popcorn to snack on during the movie. Everyone had a great time, including one Little who shared that it was his first time at the movies! Thanks to Thrivent for making this happen!
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FEDERATED SCHOLARSHIP NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
The application for scholarships for Fall 2023 semester is now open. Thanks to the generosity of the Federated Challenge, BBBS of Central Minnesota is offering a scholarship for up to $5,000 for students to attend a non-four year education that focuses on obtaining an apprenticeship, certificate or associate’s degree. The deadline to apply is Monday, April 10. Please click here eligibility requirements and application details.
Interested students may fill out the online application individually, but are encouraged to contact Ann Matvick, Program Director, at [email protected] or 320-258-4517 for assistance with filling out the application and with any questions.
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BRIANNA KRUZEL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS OPEN
BriAnna Kruzel is a former Little Sister and High School Big Sister who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in September 2013. BriAnna believed strongly in giving and volunteering. She was an active member of Big Brothers Big Sisters, volunteered with Sartell Community Education, her church, and would help anyone that needed assistance.
If you have any questions please contact Ann Matvick at 320-258-4517 or [email protected].
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BBBS PARTNERS WITH TARGET CIRCLE
To kick off 2023, BBBS of Central Minnesota is participating in the Target Circle program! You can vote for us and help direct Target’s giving to benefit youth in Central Minnesota. Shop at Target's two St. Cloud locations, or locations across Central Minnesota, to earn votes. For full program details and restrictions visit Target Circle.
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JANUARY IS NATIONAL MENTOR MONTH!
January is National Mentor Month, and all month long BBBS of Central Minnesota will be thanking current mentors and recruiting new Bigs into the program! Stay tuned on social media as we introduce and thank one current Big each day. If you're interested in becoming a Big, now is a great time to join! As part of Mentor Month, BBBS of Central MN is kicking off its 2023 Reasons to Be Big campaign, and we're looking to secure 100 new inquiries by Feb. 15! Check out our website to learn about all the ways you can Be Big in 2023, or email recruiter Emmitt Edwards for more info!
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BBBS PARTNERS WITH CSB+SJU
BBBS of Central Minnesota recently secured a second location for its Dr. Potter Bigs on Campus Mentoring Initiative. Starting in January, students from Kennedy Community School in St. Joseph will be matched with faculty, staff, alumni and business professionals at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University. Matches meet twice a month for an hour at a time and will tour both campuses, do group activities and have time for one-to-one mentoring. If you or anyone you know would be interested in being a Big for the CSB+SJU Bigs on Campus initiative, email Emmitt Edwards for more information!
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BBBS TO HOST TABLE AT MLK BREAKFAST
The 2023 MLK Community Celebration is coming up Jan. 14-16 with a full slate of events for the whole family. The celebration wraps up Monday with the MLK Breakfast from 8:30-10 a.m. at the River's Edge Convention Center. This year, BBBS of Central MN Executive Director Jackie Johnson is hosting a table at the breakfast as a Community Champion. If you are interested in being a part of the day and a part of the BBBS table, email [email protected]. For more information on the celebration and schedule of events, click here.
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2023 DEI SURVEY COMING IN FEBRUARY
As part of ongoing efforts to continue to better serve a growing and changing population, BBBS of Central Minnesota is conducting its annual DEI Survey in February. Current adult Bigs as well as parents and guardians of Littles are needed to complete the survey to help BBBS grow and better serve youth in Central Minnesota. The survey will be sent out via email in early February.
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BIGS ON CAMPUS NEEDS YOUR HELP
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BBBS PARTNERS WITH THRIVENT
Are you a Thrivent member with a Thrivent Action Team, or do you know someone who is? BBBS is now partnering with Thrivent on a number of fundraisers that will utilize their generosity programs to further Thrivent's event impact. Get involved by reaching out to Emily Steinmetz at [email protected]. Please click here for more information.
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TEXT TO DONATE!
Giving to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MN is now as easy as sending a text! Simply text the word BIGS to 269-89 and you are able to donate right from your smartphone. Text today to help support one-to-one mentoring for local youth in the community!
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Khaldoun Ahmad, Daine Billmark, Jenna Binsfeld, Peggy Brown (DEI Officer), Debbie Clausen,
Patty Funk (Secretary), Isaih Handy, Lee Hurd, Courtney Kunkel (Treasurer), Bill Martin-Chaffee,
Lori Mohs, Emmanuel Oppong, Chris Owen, Curran Poganski, Marie Primus, Rick Roehl (Vice Pres.), Alex Schoephoerster (President), Christie Schulte, and Vicky Welty (Past Pres.).
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Barb Anderson, Mimi Bitzan, Mark Coborn, Joe Francis, Brad Goskowicz, Keith Julson,
Shelly Bauerly Kopel, Gary Marsden, Vince Mohs, Karla Myres, Steve Sauer, Kurt Scepaniak,
Chris Schellinger, Joyce Schlough, John Schnettler, Rob Schumann, Peter Spaniol, Eric Stalboerger, Perian Stavrum, Mark Traut, Joan Vincent, Don Watkins, Sue Wendt and Mike Ziemann
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