Join us for a fun and low key fitness class from the comfort of your home! Kelli Nadeau from Foley Snap Fitness will guide us through a workout and talk about her experience as a Big and how exercise can make a BIG impact in your life! Please wear comfortable clothing for this virtual event. Matches will have the opportunity to interact with each other after the fitness class.
 
Please RSVP: Email Mary@BigDefenders.org by noon on November 6th. 
Forth Worth Zoo Animal Outreach with BBBS Lone Star (TX)
When: Saturday, November 7th 11:00am-12:00pm  
Who: Bigs, Littles, and their families
Where: Zoom
What: Fort Worth Zoo's Animal Outreach has gone virtual! The Animal Outreach team will provide a program that is educational, entertaining and interactive. The program will feature a wide variety of birds, mammals and reptiles. You will learn all about animals found in your backyard and around the world! The Fort Worth Zoo is ready to bring the animals out to you via this phenomenal virtual event!
Wishbone 5K: It's a Thanksgiving tradition! YES! The Wishbone 5K WILL take place in 2020! To keep everyone safe, run the course (open all day) or run wherever in the city (or country!) you are! Love Beaver Island Trail? RUN IT! Love Killian? RUN IT! Going to grandma's for turkey and pie? RUN THERE! Click here for more information.
NOVEMBER 11TH IS ORIGAMI DAY!

The word origami comes from the Japanese words, ori meaning folding, and kami meaning paper. The art of folding paper arose in several places throughout the world, including Europe, China, and Japan. It has accompanied traditions and celebrations of every kind, including funerals, birthdays, and more. In recent years, origami has become popular with origami societies and competitions springing up all around the world.
Get out some paper and start folding! You can find directions and diagrams here. If you would prefer to getting started by watching a video. Here is a link to a step by step instructional video on how to make a crane.
Our Community-Based Matches receive discounts at various businesses just for being a Match in our program. Click here to view where you can be receiving discounts together with your match discount card!
Go Big for Kids' Sake is Presented By:
KARE 11 AND FEDERATED INSURANCE
#eyesUP PSA CHALLENGE

KARE 11 wants to challenge you to help reduce distracted driving in our communities by joining their #eyesUP Distracted Driving Campaign.

For the third year, high school students in the KARE 11 viewing area are being asked to take the #eyesUP High School PSA Challenge. High school students can do this individually or with their members of their household. This is a chance for them to use their voice, creativity, and storytelling skills to make their own Public Service Announcement (PSA) that could air on KARE 11! Any video making software can be used, just make sure not to use any third party or restricted use music. 
 
A committee of KARE 11 employees will review submitted PSAs and select 11 winners. Each of the 11 winning PSAs will then air on KARE 11 through the winter and into the spring of 2021.  Plus, the top three PSA’s will receive $1,100 to help promote distraction-free driving at their school.
 
A complete explanation of the contest rules and details can be found in the #eyesUP PSA Challenge Toolkit. The toolkit includes the submission form, examples of submissions we received last year, and a video with some great PSA production tips from KARE 11's Alicia Lewis, the champion behind the KARE 11 #eyesUP campaign. 

PSA submissions are due by Friday, November 13 at 1:00pm.
LIVE UNITED 5TH GRADE ESSAY CONTEST
 
Calling All Fifth Graders!

Annually, we encourage fifth grade students in the Central Minnesota community to write an essay on what they'd do to make a positive impact and help others in their community. Details on the contest include:
  • Incorporate the LIVE UNITED theme
  • Maximum of 100 words
  • Current enrollment in 5th grade
  • Must live within United Way of Central Minnesota service area
 
Deadline is November 20th. 

Entries can be submitted to:

First place winner receives $200 Visa gift card and 14 runners-up receive $75 Visa gift cards.
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 Coordinatoor 
Kayla@BigDefenders.org 320.241.7996
 
Mary Bellefeuille, 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, Program Coordinator  
Tasha@BigDefenders.org  320.258.4516
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.

MN Warm Line Peer Support Connection - WHO TO CALL. Lists numbers to call for questions related to COVID-19, mental health concerns or just to talk. Click here for Who To Call Phone Numbers List.

Food Relief Bags - Catholic Charities Emergency Services continues to provide access to food to those in need. Food relief bags will be available for pick-up at the locations below.

Closures and Cancellations - Many state and local government offices are restricting their office hours. Click here for more information.

Metro Bus - All Routes running normally. Click here for more information.

United Way 2-1-1 Resource Hotline - United Way is encouraging anyone who may be in need of assistance accessing food, or any other essential service, to dial 2-1-1 or text MNCOVID to 898-211. Click here for more information.

Local Business Information - Many businesses are closed or have reduced their hours. Some stores and restaurants are offering curbside pick up or delivery. Click here for more information.

Great River Library - The library is now open with limited hours and curbside pick up. Information on returning books, overdue books, registering for a library card and more! Click here for more information.

Local Information and Resources - Links to business, health and entertainment resources Visit Greater St. Cloud website.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MN | 320-253-1616 | BigDefenders.org