To celebrate National Lights on Afterschool, Big Brothers Big Sisters is holding a contest for our matches. Send in a photo or 30-second video that illustrates activities you enjoy doing together as a match or the impact your match has had on your life.

There will be winners in each category (photo & video). The winners will receive a $25 gift card to a local restaurant. Please submit your photos/videos to Mary@BigDefenders.org by October 28th.

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The top winners in each category (coloring & writing) will win a $50 Walmart gift card. Please click here for link to calendar event for contest sheet- Due to Mary@BigDefenders.org by October 21st.

The Match Discount Partners list has been recently updated! Check out all of the great ideas for your Match here! Here are two that are perfect for fall!

A maze'n Farmyard - $3 off the Little and the Big Admission.

A & G Corn Maze - $1 off admission for Big and Little during daytime hours for the corn maze.

HELP US RECRUIT 100 BIGS IN 100 DAYS! SEND YOUR REFERRALS TO TINA@BIGDEFENDERS.ORG!

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) have updated their COVID-19 guidelines for in-person interactions, including recommendations for persons who have been fully vaccinated (defined as being more than two weeks out from receiving either the single-dose vaccine or their second dose of a two-dose vaccine). Accordingly, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MN (BBBS) has updated its guidelines and recommendations for in-person match meetings. Please see our website to review updated guidelines.

Hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters this series of monthly workshops via Zoom (7 total) will focus on various topics to help youth plan for their future. Everything from College and Trades to Finances and Budgeting. These workshops are open to: All students ages 12 to 21 and their parent/guardian and/or mentor. They are also open to students not involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

When: Thursday, November 4^th 6:30 to 7:15 pm

Click here to register by November 3^rd 

Applying to college can be overwhelming. At this workshop we will have admission representatives from St. Cloud Technical & Community College, St. Cloud State University and the College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University sharing tips on applying to college (non 4 year, public and private). Please click here for flyer.

When: Monday, November 22^nd from 6:30 to 7:00 pm

Click here to register by November 21^st 

The Great Country Pumpkin Party - Join us for Food, Fun, Games and Activities at our 9th Annual Halloween Event for Special Needs Children and Adults! Thursday, October 21st, 5:00-7:30pm at St. Cloud Country Inn and Suites West. Put on your favorite costume and join us for this FREE, warm and safe trick or treating experience! ALL ages welcome! Click here for more information.

Trunk or Treat - Gilleland Chevrolet's “Drive-Through” Trunk-or-Treat event was wildly successful last year so it will be outside again! Bring the kiddos Trunk-or-Treating from the comfort of your car! October 28th, 4:30-6:30pm or while supplies (AKA Candy) last!

Pumpkin Mania - Live Music, Free Food, Games, Inflatables, Train Rides and more. IT'S GOING TO BE EPIC!!! AND IT'S ALL FREE!!! Friday, October 29th, Hope Covenant Parking Lot 5:30-7:30pm. We hope you can join us. Kids are invited to wear their costumes. Sign-Up HERE for fast-pass check-in the night of the event. 

Thrivent Family Fall Festivities Event - Join us on Saturday, October 30th 11:00am - 1:00pm to enjoy a day at A Maze’n Farmyard in Eden Valley. Thrivent will be purchasing tickets for family, friends, and community members. A pumpkin will be provided for each child in attendance. Attractions include: a pumpkin patch, maze, corn pit, hayrides and others. Please email Zachary Dilger at Zachary.dilger@thrivent.com to RSVP. Click here for more details.

Monster Dash and Trick or Treating - Join the Sartell Chamber and Everything Sartell for a fun family run (small fee) and free trick or treating event outdoors at the Sartell Community Center! Saturday, October 30th. The race will be from 9:00-10:00 AM and trick or treating will start at 10 AM until Noon! Click here for more information.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. Please click here for more information and eligibility.

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

In addition, we also list past issues of the Big Happenings on our website. Please click here to access past issues.

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!

As the school year begins it’s crucial we set students up for success. Around Cloud Tutors will continue to provide free, virtual tutoring services to all K-12 students in the greater St. Cloud region throughout the school year. Please click here for link.