August 2023
Hello Friend!
You may have heard the incredible news that the Federated Challenge raised more than $4 million recently for kids in Minnesota and around the country. The gift our agency receives from this event is a significant amount of our annual budget. These incredible efforts are led by Jeff Fetters, Chairman of the Board, and Julie Rethemeier, Director of Public Affairs, both with Federated Insurance. The event is a year-round, tireless effort to work on behalf of our kids, and this year featured 87 sponsors and 650 attendees. Isn’t that amazingly wonderful? For kids to have a life-changing mentor, to give them hope for the future, give them guidance for challenges they face, to give them additional encouragement when doubtful. Isn’t that what our world needs more of – hope, guidance, encouragement?
As the 2023 Federated Challenge came to an end, our fall Back to School recruitment campaign is being launched. Throughout Central Minnesota we have the kids who are asking for a mentor - some as long as three years ago. We need mentors to step forward. People tell me so often that they have always thought of becoming a Big, but the timing wasn’t quite right. We understand that timing has to work out for the mentor or the match isn’t going to work.
However, I often get the sense that it's not just someone thinking they don’t have the time, rather they're worried that they won’t be a good mentor, they wouldn’t know what to do with a Little, they might let someone down. That is where WE shine. Our professional staff are there to coach and support the match between a Big and Little every step of the way. We offer several activities monthly to participate in. We stay connected, and we’ve done this thousands of times. Won’t you give it some thought to be that special person in a child’s life? If you do, I know you’ll tell me later that “I get more out of it than they do” and “I wish that I would have done it sooner.”
Thank you to everyone for making Big Brothers Big Sisters a part of your life; it's how it's been done for more 100 years across the country and 54 years locally. You are appreciated.
|
|
Jackie S. Johnson
Executive Director
|
|
MEET RACHAEL & ELLA!
Rachael Click and Ella have been matched for five months in our new Bigs on Campus initiative with the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. They’re already great friends and really enjoyed visiting the dance studio and trying out the aerial silks at Saint Ben’s together this spring.
This fall they are super excited to find the basketball courts and shoot some hoops!
|
|
Clarice Sauers and Lucy are!
|
|
THANK YOU, BERM BENDERS!
This month’s Partner Spotlight goes to Berm Benders! In June, the racetrack held its annual MM62 weekend-long fundraiser that included an auction, practice laps, raffle items, guest appearances and more. The yearly fundraiser is in memory of Michael Moores, an avid motocross rider and fan and former Big Brother and board member at BBBS of Central Minnesota. This year's fundraiser raised more than $20,000! Thank you to Berm Benders for hosting the event and to everyone who donated items, the spectators, bidders, staff, and special thanks to Ron and Renee Loberg, Jake Loberg and Maggie Germain, and Mark and Tabitha Arends!
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].
|
|
MID-SUMMER FUN AT THE PARK
Our Foley, Holdingford and Pierz school-based matches had the chance to meet up, and it was so fun to see everyone reuniting for the first time since May! They had the chance to play yard games, run around and use the playground equipment, and just catch up and tell each other about their summer fun so far!
|
|
HITTING THE LINKS
Matches hit the links at Boulder Ridge Golf Course in St. Cloud to learn a few golf tips and tricks from BBBS' own Emily Steinmetz! The group worked on putting and driving, and everyone made strides in their game despite the crazy heat. Thanks to Boulder Ridge for sharing their greens and driving range with us to teach the next generation of golfers!
|
|
BASEBALL IN THE RAIN
A little rain never bothered our matches anyway! A group of matches that included sports buddies and community-based matches took in a Rox baseball game - and braved six-plus innings of cloudy, on-and-off rain! The 10:30 p.m. rain delay proved to be a bit much and everyone went home, but the first six innings were full of scoring and fun games and promotions!
|
|
CATCHING A TWINS VICTORY!
Matches and their families had the chance to catch a Twins game this month, and it was an exciting one! The Twins held on for a 3-2 win over the White Sox. The group dodged some weather on the bus ride to Minneapolis and there was a short rain delay before the game got started, but there were still lots of big smiles in the crowd!
|
|
100 NEW BIGS BY SEPT. 15
It's back-to-school season in Central Minnesota, but so much learning happens outside of the classroom. This fall, BBBS of Central Minnesota needs to recruit 100 new adult mentors by Sept. 15! There are currently more than 160 kids on the waiting list for a mentor, so we need your help. You can teach a local youth to fish, play an instrument, change a tire, draw - just a few hours each month would be a BIG deal to these waiting youth! Sign up to be a mentor here or contact [email protected] today!
|
|
BBBS PRIDE TEES AVAILABLE
Show off your Pride and support BBBS with this BBBS Pride T-shirt! BBBS of Central Minnesota has a limited number of Pride shirts for sale. The T-shirts are $15 each and come in black or white, and are available in sizes small, medium, large, or extra large. Shirts will be available for pickup in late July at the BBBS St. Cloud office. Email [email protected] to secure your shirt today!
|
|
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR BBBS!
Show your support for BBBS of Central Minnesota to everyone in your neighborhood and help us recruit new mentors with a branded yard sign! Email [email protected] if you're interested in putting a sign in your yard or stop by the St. Cloud office today to pick one up! (The signs measure two feet wide by 1 1/2 feet tall and come with a metal stake to keep it in the ground.)
|
|
BIGS ON CAMPUS NEEDS YOUR HELP
Have you ever thought about being a Big? Do you know someone who would be a great Big? BBBS of Central Minnesota is looking for mentors to be a part of the Bigs on Campus initiative at St. Cloud State, St. Cloud Tech & Community College, and the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University for Fall 2023. Meet with your mentee twice a month for an hour at a time at SCSU, SCTCC, or CSB/SJU and help them get accustomed to life on a college campus! Click here for more information or to sign up to be part of the Bigs on Campus program!
|
|
SUPPORT BBBS WHEN YOU SHOP!
Every time you shop, your spare change can help to support local youth! When you sign up today to donate on the BBBS of Central Minnesota website, you can 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!
|
|
Khaldoun Ahmad, Daine Billmark, Jenna Binsfeld, Debbie Clausen, Patty Funk (Secretary), Melinda Gau, Isaih Handy, Lee Hurd, Courtney Kunkel (Treasurer), Bill Martin-Chaffee (DEI Officer), Lori Mohs, Mardi Noyes, Emmanuel Oppong, Chris Owen, Curran Poganski, Jason Primus, Rick Roehl (Vice Pres.),
Alex Schoephoerster (President), Christie Schulte, and Vicky Welty (Past Pres.).
|
|
Barb Anderson, Mimi Bitzan, Mark Coborn, Joe Francis, Keith Julson, Lori Kloos, Andy Knoblauch,
Shelly Bauerly Kopel, John Mahowald, Mike Markman, Gary Marsden, Vince Mohs, Steve Sauer,
Kurt Scepaniak, Joyce Schlough, John Schnettler, Peter Spaniol, Eric Stalboerger, Perian Stavrum,
Mark Traut, Joan Vincent, Bob Walter, and Don Watkins.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
