The Match Discount Partners list has been recently updated! Check out all of the great ideas for your Match here! Here are two of our newest match discount partners!
Great Theatre - Little is free with paid admission of the Big.
Riddler's Escape - Use promo code NONPROFITFUN for 20 percent off the entire booking. For groups bigger than 10 players, call ahead to set up two rooms.
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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 we are 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 Ann@BigDefenders.org or 320-258-4517 for assistance with filling out the application and with any questions.
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.

BriAnna's family honors her memory by awarding a current/past Little Brother/Sister or High School Big Brother/Sister with a $500 scholarship to a college of their choice. The deadline to apply for a scholarship for Fall 2023 is Saturday, April 1, 2023. Please click here for eligibility requirements and application details.

If you have any questions please contact Ann Matvick at 320-258-4517 or Ann@BigDefenders.org.
TACO BELL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

The Taco Bell Live Mas Scholarship is now open to students ages 16-26. Students must be on track to apply for or enrolled in an accredited post-high school/post secondary educational program, including two- and four-year colleges, universities and trade schools. Instead of a traditional application, interested students must submit a video explaining their passion and how they plan to use that passion to make a positive change in their community. The deadline to enter is Jan. 11, 2023. Click here for more information or to apply.
2023 Winter Chill - Enjoy free winter fun at Riverside Park! From 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21, enjoy sledding, Nordic skiing, arts and crafts, snow painting, refreshments and more! There will also be door prizes. Bring your own winter gear - snowshoes and skills will be available for use while supplies last. No registration required, but- more details are available here.
Holiday Classics Retro Series - Get in the holiday spirit by watching classic holiday films on the big screen! From Dec. 2-15, Marcus Parkwood Cinema in Waite Park is showing eight different holiday classics including Elf, White Christmas, The Grinch, and more. Tickets are only $5 per person - check out the Marcus website for showtimes and to buy tickets.
Poems and Paintings at the Library - The St. Cloud Great River Regional Library is hosting a Winter Party with Paints and Poems. From either 4-5:30 p.m. or 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21, write a poem, paint, and listen to poems from diverse Minnesota poets in the Mississippi Community Room. Space is limited, so reserve a spot today. Click here for more details.
Country Lights Festival Starts Dec. 1! - The Country Lights Festival at St. Francis Park in Sartell starts Thursday, Dec. 1, and runs through Dec. 31. Lights are on from dusk until dawn every day of the week. The kiddie train runs and hot chocolate is served from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Dec. 17, and there are fireworks on Dec. 31. Click here for more information.
Sons of Norway Bernelopet - The 15th annual Sons of Norway Children's Ski Event will be held Saturday, Jan. 22, 2023. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m. and the race is at 1 p.m. in Riverside Park in St. Cloud. This is a free event open to children ages 3-13. There will be hot chocolate and cookies, and limited free ski equipment is available if needed. Click here for more information.
Sledding/Skiing/Showshoeing Sundays - The shelter at Riverside Park in St. Cloud is available for public use on Jan. 8, 15 and 29, 2023. A limited supply of snowshoes are available for checkout during this time. Click here for more information.
Arts Underground at St. Cloud Paramount - Every Thursday from Sept. 15, 2022, through May 18, 2023, head to the Paramount Center for the Arts in downtown St. Cloud to try your hand at various skills! Work with a studio mentor to try throwing a bowl on the wheel, piece together a mosaic or make a clay sculpture. Youth 19 and under are $5 each and adults are $10. Click here for more information.
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HELP SUPPORT LOCAL FAMILIES
This holiday season, spread the gift of generosity and happiness with Advantage 1 Insurance. Andy and his team are collecting gifts for 10 families that are a part of our BBBS community to make sure that everyone has a wonderful holiday season. Contact Andy at 320-252-6650 to get the name of one of the 31 kids to buy for or find out how else you can help out!
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BBBS WINTER BREAK OFFICE HOURS
The BBBS of Central Minnesota office will be closed Dec. 23-26 for the winter break. Please plan accordingly, and let BBBS staff know ahead of time if anything is needed over the break. Email bbbs@bigdefenders.org or call 320-253-1616.
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 10 mentors to be a part of the Bigs on Campus program at St. Cloud State. Meet with your mentee twice a month for an hour at a time at SCSU 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!
BBBS PARTNERS WITH THRIVENT
Are you a Thrivent member with a Thrivent Action Team, or do you know someone who is? Starting this Fall, BBBS is 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.
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!
LITTLE BIG VIRTUAL ACADEMY

Welcome to a whole world of fun, learning, and resources - The Little Big Virtual Academy!

The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota team has compiled a list of fun and interactive activities and resources for Littles and Bigs to do together (either in-person or virtually) click here to check it out!
Please visit our BBBS Website to view resources and information for parents/guardians & Bigs including mentoring videos and parenting resources. We also have an extensive listing of community resources including tutors, food and housing assistance, and mental health resources. BigDefenders.org/resources

In addition, we also list past issues of the Big Happenings on our website. Please click here to access past issues.
GET HELP WITH HIGHER WORKS COLLABORATIVE
Higher Works Collaborative in St. Cloud works to advance the lives and livelihoods of African Americans in Central Minnesota. They offer tutoring and classes to help prepare middle and high schoolers for life after high school. Please click here for more information.
MAA HELPS FAMILIES WITH AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Minnesota Afterschool Advance helps Minnesota families who meet income requirements use the powerful but underutilized Minnesota K-12 Education Tax Credit to help them pay for educational afterschool programs like tutoring, music lessons, and art classes. Please click here to apply.
GET HELP FINDING A JOB

Career Solutions helps Central Minnesota find a job or career that's right for them. The WIOA Young Adult Program can help assess future careers, assess skills and interests and assist with job searches. Please click here for more information.
AROUND CLOUD TUTORS CONTINUES TO PREPARE STUDENTS!

Around Cloud Tutors continues to provide free, virtual tutoring services to all K-12 students in the greater St. Cloud region. Please click here for link.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MN | 320-253-1616 | BigDefenders.org