THERE'S STILL TIME TO BID!
There's still time to bid and win during the 2023 Big Auction! The auction runs now through 8 p.m. on Friday, May 5, and features everything from passes to local golf courses to baskets of homemade goods to a Timberwolves suite and Twins tickets to certificates for meals prepared just for you. Head to the 2023 Big Auction website to register or see if you're already registered and start bidding! All proceeds support local youth right here in Central Minnesota!
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May 2023
Hello Friend!
I recently had the honor and privilege of attending a Ramadan celebration hosted by a Somali Women’s Group at our Community Outpost (COP House) in St Cloud. The first part of the evening, the group of 30-ish people packaged candy and small toys for the upcoming EID celebration. We were all good workers, so we finished this task in no time. Then we were able to sit around the table and have a conversation.
Our first bit of information to share, in addition to the obvious name/place of work, was “What is a holiday family tradition that is meaningful to you?” Whatever anyone said - no matter their background - it all had a component of food. We gather and break bread, so to say, and celebrate.
The next part of our conversation was much more intimate. We were able to ask each other questions about beliefs, religion, traditions, etc. It was a safe place to be vulnerable with answers and with curious questions. Collectively we decided that we are much more alike than different AND that our differences make us unique. It was nothing short of beautiful.
When the sun set we were able to feast on foods that are meaningful to everyone in attendance. This included traditional Somali food and my jar of homemade applesauce. Samosas and applesauce pair rather well together, which summed up the conversation and discoveries of the evening.
I encourage you to be vulnerable, ask curious questions, and eat foods that celebrate another person’s endearing holiday.
I can never write this article without profound gratitude to be a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters and thank each of you for making this life-changing program a reality for so many. Thank you!
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BBBS Committee Member Hani Omar Jacobson and Jackie at the Ramadan celebration |
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Jackie S. Johnson
Executive Director
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MEET DREA, LITTLE SISTER OF THE YEAR!
Andrea has been a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2013. She had two different high school mentors she is incredibly appreciative of, and for the past four years she has been matched with Tammy Stafford.
Since Andrea and Tammy were matched in 2019, Tammy said she has watched Andrea meet and overcoming challenges with amazing strength while also gaining a more positive outlook on her future and life after high school.
Early in their match, both Tammy and BBBS staff noticed that Andrea thrived in a safe, encouraging one-on-one relationship. Tammy made sure Andrea knew she was someone Andrea could talk to and be herself around, and the match flourished.
There have been ups and downs for Andrea since she’s known Tammy, but knowing she has Tammy on her side has helped Andrea work through some tough situations. “I like how being in Big Brothers Big Sisters influenced me,” she said. “I like being a Little and being able to learn something new, being able to have a good role model in my life.”
As well as being more open with Tammy, Andrea is also more open to new activities and getting involved at school. She has been a part of the school’s theater crew and participated in school sponsored events. Together, she and Tammy go bowling, go on walks, watch movies, go to the zoo, and share meals together.
Andrea has also been more open to the idea of college, and talks about her future more with Tammy. Tammy said that’s the biggest change she’s seen in her Little Sister over the last four years. “Hearing her talk positively about her future, going to college, having those goals, is really cool to hear because I take that to mean that she’s seeing what potential she has,” Tammy said.
Andrea said she enjoys spending time together and learning new things from Tammy, and that being named Little Sister of the Year is something she’s really proud of.
“It makes me feel happy about the way that I’ve experienced my match with Tammy,” Andrea said. “If I didn’t have Tammy, if I wasn’t a Little, I feel like I’d be very different from where I am now. Having her there has created me to be much better and feel much better about myself.”
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MEET DAMIN, LITTLE BROTHER OF THE YEAR!
After waiting more than four years to get matched with BBBS, it would have been easy for Damin to be negative about his experience with the program or give up on the idea of having a Big all together. But he waited patiently, and now has a Big Brother who is exactly what he needs.
Damin was matched with Brad Bergstrom in November 2020 when he was in the eighth grade. Their first meetings were over Zoom due to COVID restrictions, and Brad remembers Damin being reserved and unsure – but he was also impressed with how mature Damin was for an eighth grader.
It didn’t take long for the reservations to go away, and now the pair is constantly laughing, going to hockey games, or trying new foods. “It didn’t take very long and we just developed a friendship that has become a pretty important part of my life,” Brad said.
Now a sophomore in high school, Damin has developed a trust with Brad that allows him to share his thoughts and feelings not only with Brad, but with other adults in his life. He’s also doing much better in school. With Brad’s help, he’s found ways to connect with the staff at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, which has helped him improve his grades and his academic performance. “When I started meeting with Brad I started improving my classes and my workload and I gave myself a little more motivation,” Damin said. “I think that was a really big impact he had. If Big Brothers Big Sisters wasn’t part of my life, I think I’d still be doing pretty bad in my classes and missing out on the potential I have.”
Not only is Damin doing better academically, he’s also become very involved at school. He was unable to try out for the baseball team, but he decided to be a manager instead and found great joy in being part of the team that way. He’s also part of the football team, he’s in DECA, he’s been active in Boy Scouts for six years, he’s in Upward Bound and he has a part-time job. Through BBBS, he and Brad have attended Twins games, fishing activities and St. Cloud State events.
“Damin embodies the spirit of a Little in this community that has really overcome a lot of adversity and has put his best foot forward and is doing things the right way,” Brad said. “He’s motivated, he works hard. And he doesn’t just show up – he has a work ethic that’s second to none.”
Damin said that while being named Little Brother of the Year is exciting and a big achievement for both himself and Brad, at the end of the day – he’s just glad he gets to continue to spend time with Brad.
“It is something that’s really big, but that’s not the reason I joined the program,” he said. “The main thing was that’s really good for me and Brad, but I still get to meet with him, and that’s the best part of it.”
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Michael Olson and Johnny are!
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THANK YOU, TARGET - AND ALL OUR VOTERS!
This month’s Partner Spotlight goes to Target - and everyone who voted for BBBS of Central Minnesota via Target Circle! From Jan. 1 through March 31, the Central Minnesota agency was one of a handful of local nonprofits that Target selected for their first quarter Target Circle voting program. Our supporters turned out, and cast 210,835 votes for BBBS - which results in a donation from Target of more than $6,300! Thank you to Target for your support and all of our voters for standing up for local youth!
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 Emily@BigDefenders.org.
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CHEERING ON THE TWOLVES
Matches had a Sunday afternoon adventure earlier this month when they headed to Minneapolis to take in a Timberwolves game! They were treated to a close game between the Wolves and the Trailblazers, and cheered on the Timberwolves loud and proud the whole time. This was the first NBA game for several matches, and they were all smiles on the bus ride home! Thanks to the Timberwolves for donating the tickets, and Aaron L. Hammer of Hammer & Associates for sponsoring the bus ride to and from Minneapolis!
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SUPPORT EVELIE BLU & BBBS!
On Saturday, May 13, head to Evelie Blu in St. Cloud to shop the boutique, check out products from local makers, and support BBBS of Central Minnesota! That day, 15 percent of all sales will be donated to BBBS. There will also be donation jars at the register, or you can click here to donate to Evelie Blu's BBBS Fundraiser! From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. that day, Megan of Certainly Wildflowers Permanent Jewelry will be in the shop to design your own keepsake, and there will be refreshments. Thanks to Evelie Blu for supporting BBBS!
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BIGS NEEDED FOR CSB+SJU INITIATIVE
The newest Bigs on Campus initiative at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University has a handful of matches made since it started in January, but there are more Littles waiting! Faculty, staff, alumni and business professionals from CSB+SJU are paired with students from Kennedy Community School, and several Kennedy students still need a Big! 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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ROUND UP AT THE REGISTER
Amazon recently sunsetted its AmazonSmile program, but we have a new and easy way for you to support local youth. When you sign up today to donate on the BBBS of Central Minnesota website, you can choose to round up every purchase on the credit card of your choosing. Every time you swipe that card, the total is rounded up to the nearest dollar - and that extra change stays right here in Central Minnesota! Your extra change could make a BIG difference to local youth - give it a try!
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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 Emily@BigDefenders.org. Please click here for more information.
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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, Bob Walter, Don Watkins, Sue Wendt and Mike Ziemann
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