February 2023
Hello Friend!
Have you heard of the 2010 book “The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates”? The story chronicles two men - both named Wes Moore - who had very similar starts in life, but who ended up in two very different situations.
In the book, the author Wes Moore states, "The other Wes Moore is a drug dealer, a robber, a murderer. I am a Rhodes scholar, a White House Fellow, a former Army officer. Yet our situations could easily have been reversed." Author Wes is able to demonstrate that through mentoring and support, he was able to take his circumstances and find success and the other Wes, without support and mentoring, is in prison for life.
This is the book that Lee Hurd’s book club read that became the tipping point for her and her husband Eric to become a Big Duo (Couple) for Caleb in 2013. After being matched for so many years they’ve done everything from ice fishing to baseball games, and in 2022 they went to Nashville to visit Caleb in college! Eric and Lee were named the Big Couple of the Year in in 2017. They say that everyone should become a Big because not only does having a mentor give the Little someone who supports them, it also gives the Bigs something to look forward to. It doesn’t take a lot of time or effort to make a BIG difference in a child’s life! Lee says “It’s a true honor to be a part of Caleb’s life. Best decision EVER!”.
This match was just one of the daily features on our social media in January as part of National Mentoring Month. I urge you all to go to our Facebook page and read the 31 stories. All of the Bigs' responses have a very similar theme: “Do it, you won’t regret it.” “You’ll find the time.” “My Little brings more joy in my life.”
A deep appreciation to everyone who makes this life-changing program work. It takes thousands of donors, hundreds of volunteers, 50 board and committee members, 20 team members (including work study and interns) and, most importantly, a Little and their family. It is so worth what each puts in to see how a child is today and then again how they will be tomorrow.
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Lee and Eric Hurd when they were first matched with Caleb in 2013.
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Lee and Eric Hurd visiting Caleb at college in Nashville in 2022.
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Jackie Johnson with author Wes Moore
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Jackie S. Johnson
Executive Director
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Big Brothers Big Sisters is about more than doing crafts and getting ice cream – it’s about making relationships and creating connections that last a lifetime. No one knows that better than Greg Schueller.
Greg’s dad died when Greg was just 10 years old, and shortly after that his mom signed him up to be a Little at BBBS of Central Minnesota. After being matched briefly with one Big Brother, Greg was matched with Mark Rieland. The two weren’t officially matched for more than a few years, but the friendship that started all those years ago is still going strong today. Greg and his wife, Cheri, get together with Mark and his wife, Lou, several times a year, and their families are good friends.
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Greg Schueller, second from left, was matched with Mark Rieland through BBBS of Central MN in the late 1970s. Greg and Mark are pictured here with Greg's wife Cheri, left, and Mark's wife Lou, right.
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Greg remembers when he was first matched with Mark waiting all week for Thursdays, because that’s when the two of them would hang out. The days of the week and activities changed, but it didn’t matter what they did - Greg just wanted to hang out with Mark. Mark and Lou fostered Greg for a time after his father’s death, and that’s when Greg realized how special Mark and Lou were. “They might have been assigned to me by the Big Brother Big Sisters organization, but they actually cared about me enough to take on this responsibility,” he said.
From then on, Mark and Lou were a mainstay in Greg’s life. When he got his drivers license, his first trip was the four hours to Chippewa Falls, Wis., to visit Mark and Lou in their new home. They met all his serious girlfriends, and Mark sang at Greg’s wedding 29 years ago. Mark showed Greg how to install a stereo in his first car – which sparked an interest in understanding and repairing mechanics, and led Greg to become an electronics technician. Of everything Mark and Lou have done for Greg, however, he said the biggest thing they did was set an example of how to live and love. “They have been a huge positive influence in my life,” Greg said. “This is a debt I can never repay.”
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MEET OLIVIA & KHLOE!
Olivia Henson & Khloe are one of our St. Cloud school-based matches! Olivia is currently attending the College of Saint Benedict and mentors during her free time. Olivia and Khloe have been matched since March of 2022.
Olivia and Khloe love to have long discussions about the books they’ve been reading and paint their nails together. They’ve definitely built a great friendship over the past 10 months!
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Rachel Schuneman, Yang Koua Lo and Journi are!
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THANK YOU, A.B.A.T.E. MN!
This month’s Partner Spotlight goes to the A.B.A.T.E. MN. The group kicked off 2023 by hosting their annual bowling event at McPete's Sports Bar & Lanes in Big Lake, and raised $2,300 to support BBBS of Central Minnesota and Go Big For Kids! Special thanks to Michelle Backlund for organizing the event!
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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CHEERING ON THE HUSKIES
Our Sports Buddies matches headed back to Halenbeck Hall to watch the St. Cloud State men's basketball team take on Upper Iowa! The Huskies lost a close game, but the matches cheered on the players who led the basketball clinic in September. The Littles had a blast watching their favorite players and talking about how much fun they had playing on that same court with the Huskies just a few months ago! The group also took over the BBBS Instagram account for the night - follow BBBS of Central MN @bbbsofcentralmn for more takeovers at match activities!
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LEARNING ABOUT THE HEALTH INDUSTRY
Through the BIG Partners initiative, local high school students toured Microbiologics’ St. Cloud facility and had the opportunity to meet professionals, practice networking skills, and learn about career opportunities in the health industry sector. The mentees in the BIG Partners initiative are juniors at St. Cloud Tech and Apollo high schools, and mentors are professionals at DeZURIK, Granite Partners, Microbiologics, and Rotochopper, Inc.
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WORKING TOGETHER TO ESCAPE
Matches were very excited to have the opportunity to do an Escape Room in January! A large group split into two teams to take on the puzzles and games to try and get out of the various rooms. Group One didn't quite make it out in time, but Group Two was successful in their quest! Everyone had a great time, and is already asking to do it again soon!
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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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DEI SURVEY COMING SOON
On Thursday, Feb. 9, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota will be sending out a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion assessment survey to current Bigs as well as Parents and Guardians of Littles. BBBS is committed to be an inclusive organization. As such, we are seeking to develop and promote policies and programs that provide equal access and opportunity for organization volunteers, families, supporters, and team.
We are committed to fostering a culture that values the diversity of every member of the BBBS community. We will be using your feedback from the survey to help develop the infrastructure around our programming and ensure that we are providing equal access and opportunities for our BBBS community. We value your insight and experience so if you receive a survey we encourage you to take the time to fill out the survey so BBBS can build a more inclusive organization and community.
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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 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 - and use those votes by March 31. For full program details and restrictions visit Target Circle.
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ROUND UP AT THE REGISTER
AmazonSmile is sunsetting at the end of the month, 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 [email protected]. 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, Don Watkins, Sue Wendt and Mike Ziemann
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