December 2023
Happy Holidays Friend!
December is filled with a variety of religious and secular holidays. I was raised in a Christian household, therefore I’ve always celebrated Christmas. Growing up, my family received three different Christmas catalogs in the mail: Sears, JCPenney, and Montgomery Ward. Oh the hours and hours we spent pouring over those catalogs, reading about the latest and greatest toys, and generating lists.
Looking back, there hasn’t been a Christmas gift that I have wanted more than when I was in second grade and wanted Baby Tender Love. As gifts started to appear under the tree, my snooping couldn’t find that one package that would have fit my pined-for doll. I was anxious, but hopeful that it would be there. It was the ONLY thing that I wanted.
On Christmas Eve after I opened the gifts with my name, there was no Baby Tender Love. I was so heartbroken that I cried, even in front of my brothers who loved to tease me. Then, through Christmas magic, another package showed up. I knew it when I saw it. I cried harder as I ripped open the gift. There she was. I remember it like it was yesterday.
Do the holidays take you back to your childhood? When what you see, hear, and smell can make you feel what you felt then? Our brains are like that; they hold those memories and impressions, even when we aren’t fully aware of it. And those memories may not have a timestamp, making us believe we are still there. Deeply rooted in our memories are those who believed in us, making us feel special, fostering trust and self-worth. Mentors are valuable guides who share wisdom, offer support, and boost confidence. There is no doubt that mentors help kids’ brains develop, grow stronger and smarter, and we know kids bring more joy to mentors’ lives.
I want to take advantage of this opportunity to share warm holiday wishes and extend our heartfelt appreciation for your incredible support and dedication to our mission. The holiday season is a time of reflection, gratitude, and joy. On behalf of our BBBS family, thank you for being a part of our mission. Together, we are making a difference, one child (and mentor) at a time.
P.S. I still have Baby Tender Love.
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Jackie S. Johnson
Executive Director
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MEET ALANA AND BEN!
Alana Rocheleau and Ben have been matched for a little over nine months as part of the school-based program in Pierz.
They really enjoy playing board games together, and their current favorite games are Chutes and Ladders or Sorry. Alana loves Ben's determination to win every game they play and that he just never gives up - he usually finds a way to beat Alana at every board game! Alana is a great Big to Ben; she finds a way to balance playing a fun game and helping with homework when they meet.
Ben always gets excited when he sees Alana picking him up from class for their meetings. She is always encouraging Ben to try new games (even if she might lose to him). Ben really enjoyed when Alana was able to join him at lunch one time at school!
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Lee Hurd and Haylee are!
Meet Lee Hurd and Haylee! They are one of the first four matches in the newest branch of the Bigs on Campus initiative at St. Cloud Technical & Community College. Lee - member of our board and also a Big Duo to Caleb with her husband, Eric - and Haylee, a student at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, are excited to build a friendship. We can't wait to watch them grow as a match! As you are considering being a Big, check out our current list of new Matches.
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THANK YOU, QUANEX!
This month’s Partner Spotlight goes to Quanex! In November, our agency was surprised and excited to receive a phone call from the leadership team at the local Quanex letting us know that we were the recipient of a gift from the Quanex Foundation! This is the second gift BBBS of Central Minnesota has received from Quanex in the past three years. Thank you, Quanex, for supporting our matches and local kids!
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!
BBBS of Central Minnesota is always looking for businesses to host or sponsor match activities. If you or your business are willing to sponsor or host a match activity, contact Emily Steinmetz at 320-258-4515 or [email protected].
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BOUNCING AROUND AT AIRMAXX
One of our most popular match activities each year is a trip to AirMaxx, and Bigs and Littles were excited to spend some time at the trampoline park in November! Many of the matches hung out together and played one big game of dodgeball, and everyone had a blast. We love seeing our matches interacting and have fun!
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A BIG THANKS TO ALL OF YOU
It was an evening of catching up, sharing stories, and saying thank you to our donors, board, Bigs, and friends on Nov. 14 at The Big Thanks Social. Special thanks to Lee and Eric Hurd for sharing their story of their 12-year match with Caleb and how important the For Kids, Forever endowment campaign is to continue to support youth in Central Minnesota for years to come. It was a wonderful evening of socializing, enjoying each other's company, and talking about how to grow our work to support more kids!
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CHEERING ON THE JOHNNIES
Matches had the chance to help get the Saint John's hockey team pumped up and ready to go for its recent game against St. Scholastica! Matches got to take a tour of the locker room at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, gave the team high-fives before they hit the ice for warm-ups, and then got to choose their own seat to watch the game!
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BBBS RECEIVES INNOVATION AWARD
On November 16, BBBS of Central Minnesota was humbled to receive one of four Innovation Awards from the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation. The GSDC recognized BBBS' BIG Partners initiative for the collaboration with the St. Cloud Area School District and Granite Partners, and how the program works to help first-generation college students learn more about their options for life after high school. Watch the video about BIG Partners put together by the GSDC here.
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YEAR-END GIVING DEADLINE
Sunday, Dec. 10, is the last day to submit a grant request from your fund with Community Giving to ensure that it reaches Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota or the charity of your choice by the end of the calendar year. Charitable gifts mailed to the Community Giving office must be postmarked by Dec. 30 to ensure a 2023 tax deduction.
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DO YOGA, SUPPORT BBBS
If yoga is your thing - or maybe you just want to try it out - head to Shanti Yoga Center in St. Cloud for their Dec. 8 donation-based class. This hour-long class runs from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and is beginner-friendly with options for exploring slow, gentle movement in body and breath. Instead of paying a class fee, participants bring a donation and Shanti will donate 50 percent of the proceeds to BBBS. Check out Shanti's Facebook page for more info.
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ROUND UP AT MACY'S FOR BBBS
For the second year in a row, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Macy's are partnering up over the holidays to help defend the potential of youth. From Nov. 1 through Dec. 24, you can round up at the register to support your local BBBS! Do your holiday shopping at the Macy's in the Crossroads Center Shopping Mall in Waite Park to participate and send your spare change to BBBS of Central Minnesota!
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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. 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!
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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!
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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.).
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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.
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