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LET'S PLAY BINGO!

Matches can stay active by playing BINGO! Just complete the activities listed in the squares on the card below. It's a fun way to stay busy and keep moving during the month of February!
FEBRUARY 11TH IS MAKE A FRIEND DAY!

To paraphrase Yeats: “There are no strangers in the world, just friends you have never met.” We must never stop making friends. That’s why National Make a Friend Day is so important. A new friendship can open you to new experiences. Friends can help us through challenging times. They provide us with the comfort of a safe emotional space where we can be ourselves. Good friends are our biggest treasure.

Make a special effort on February 11 to meet (or at least talk to) someone new. Your life could change forever! Click here for other ideas on how to celebrate.
KIDS SHOE DESIGNER CONTEST 2021!

Merrell is running a shoe design contest for youth ages 11 and under. They are looking for a new shoe designer – and it could be you! Show them your best coloring work on the Nova 2 Kids shoe. Click here to download the Merrell Activity Sheet. The winner will have a shoe designed based on their picture, a free pair when available, and a $500 gift card.

Deadline to enter is February 8. Upload your finished pic with #futuremerrelldesigner and tag @merrell OR submit via email. More details can be found here, on how to participate.
2020-21 OPTIMIST ESSAY SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST
“Reaching your Dreams by Choosing Optimism”
(sponsored by the Central MN Noon Optimist Club)

The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19, with the opportunity for local prizes, and a district scholarship. We will be providing the following prizes locally: 
  • 1st place $250
  • 2nd place: $150
  • 3rd place:$100

Our local contest winner will also be entered into an area essay contest (the Dakotas, Manitoba, Minnesota District of Optimist International) where the first-place prize is a $2,500 scholarship. Last year, there were only 19 contestants at that level. 

 The contest entry deadline is February 10, 2021.

Please click here for application. For questions and submitting applications please contact Aimee Minnerath AMinnerath@BGCMN.org. Paper copies can be mailed to:
Boys and Girls Clubs of Central MN
Attention: Aimee Minnerath
345 30th Ave N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
AUDTION FOR CHARLEOTTE'S WEB!

Presented by GREAT Theatre at Online/Virtual Space. To audition youth ages 8-18 can either submit a video of their chosen audition monologue or schedule a Zoom audition to perform their monologue pieces live for the directors.

Audition sign ups and materials will be available on the website by February 12. Audition videos due Tuesday, February 23rd by 5:00pm. Zoom auditions on Tuesday, February 23rd at 6:00pm or 6:30pm. Click here for more information.
LITTLE BIG VIRTUAL ACADEMY
The purpose of the Little Big Virtual Academy is to keep Littles and Bigs connected during times of physically distancing. When matches might not be able meet in-person, they can continue to communicate and interact via phone and computer. 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- click here to link to the website!
PROGRAM STAFF CONTACT INFO
Please contact our staff if you have any questions regarding matches.

Ann Matvick, Program Director  
Ann@BigDefenders.org 320.258.4517
  
Jamie Lodermeier, Program Coordinator
Jamie@BigDefenders.org  320.258.4532
 
Kayla Meyer, Program Coordinator 
Kayla@BigDefenders.org 320.241.7996
 
Mary Bellefeuille, Lead Program Coordinator 
Mary@BigDefenders.org  320.258.4538
 
Rebecca Fonss, Program Coordinator  
Rebecca@BigDefenders.org 320.258.4519
 
Robyn Rieland, Program Coordinator 
Robyn@BigDefenders.org  320.258.4512

Tasha Bruns-Notsch, Lead Enrollment Coordinator  
Tasha@BigDefenders.org  320.258.4516
Looking for a way to make a BIG difference in your community by igniting the potential in kids?

Big Brothers Big Sisters is in search of an Executive Assistant. Stand with kids and lead them on a path towards a brighter, more promising future. Join our dynamic team and enjoy a rewarding position that changes lives.
Starting Wage is $16.50/hour; 20-24 hours per week.


The deadline to apply is Friday, February 19, 2021, at 12:00 noon.
Hey BIGS!! Do you know someone who would be a great mentor to a child in our community? Use the above Big Nomination graphic by sending it to them. You could message it, text it, print and hand deliver, or post it on their social media. Let them KNOW that you could see them as a BIG! We are now holding Info Sessions online via Zoom- let's create a waiting list of Bigs!
Listed below are several community resources. Please visit our updated BBBS website Resources page for a more extensive listing, including tutors, food and heating assistance, and mental health resources.

CARE Free Food Distribution - COVID Food Assistance Program open to all households that are in need! Each household will receive Meat, Milk and Dry Goods. February 15th, March 15th, and April 19th 11:00am - 1:00pm or while boxes last. CARE Parking Lot 321 6th Ave Foley, MN 56329. Please stay in your vehicle. Phone: 320-968-7848 or email: info@CAREelders.org

United Way 2-1-1 Resource Hotline - United Way is encouraging anyone who may be in need of assistance accessing food, rent, mortgage, utility assistance or any other essential service, to dial 2-1-1 or text MNCOVID to 898-211. Click here for more information.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MN | 320-253-1616 | BigDefenders.org