The Match Discount Partners list has been recently updated! Check out all of the great ideas for your Match here! Here are two of our newest match discount partners!

Cloud Coffee Fest - The local coffee scene is growing, and on Saturday, Sept. 24, a handful of the region's shops will be in the same place for St. Cloud Coffee Fest. From 8 a.m.-noon at Cooper Collective, check out coffee from Kinder Coffee Lab, Overlander Coffee, Cold Press Coffee and more. The free event will feature music and kids' activities, as well as coffee and baked goods for purchase. Click here for more information.

Stars & S'mores - Come take a closer look at the night sky! On Saturday, Oct. 8, learn about the night sky from St. Cloud State professors and make your own planisphere in the park shelter! This event runs from 7:30-9 p.m. at Wilson Park and costs $5 per participant. Click here for more information or to register.

Fall Storytime at St. Cloud Library - Every Tuesday from Sept. 20 through Oct. 25, the St. Cloud library is hosting story time from 10:15-10:45 a.m. in the Children's Program Room. Storytime will include stories stories and songs geared towards children ages 3-6. It is limited to 20 children per session, so please register here.

Suicide Prevention Training - On Thursday, Sept. 29, join CentraCare's Suicide Prevention Manager for a suicide prevention gatekeeper training. The more trained responders we have in Central MN, the healthier and safer we all will be. The virtual even runs from noon-1 p.m. - register here.

World's Largest Corn Maze - The world's largest corn maze is right in St. Cloud's backyard! Head to Stoney Brook Farms in Foley to check out the corn maze and pumpkin patch - open Friday through Sunday from Sept. 10-Oct. 30 - and Harvest Fun Days! Please click here for more information.

Explore at the Outdoor U! - If you love the great outdoors, check out the Outdoor U on the Saint John's campus in Collegeville. The Arboretum has 15 miles of hiking trails as well as biking trails, a swimming beach, disk golf and trails for skiing and snowshoeing in the winter - all for free! Please click here for more information.

Money Management for Teens - On Wednesday, Sept. 21, teens are invited to the St. Cloud Library for a quick course on money management. From 7-8 p.m., learn about saving for college, budgeting your paycheck and more. This is for teens 13 and older and is limited to 20 attendees so please register here.

Bag of Books - From October 20-22, the St. Cloud Friends of the Library is hosting its annual Bag of Books book sale in the Mississippi Room at the St. Cloud Public Library. Used books, DVDs, magazines and audio books are available to purchase for $4 per bag. Sale times and more details are available here.

On Wednesday, Oct. 19, tune in for a virtual neurodiversity training. Not sure what ADHD, autism or dyslexia means? This short, interactive presentation will teach you the basics. The training starts at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom and will be recorded. It is geared towards high school and college students as well as parents/guardians. Click here for more info or to register by Oct 12.

On Monday, Nov. 21, the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center is hosting a virtual training for Bigs, Parents/Guardians, and other adults in the community to help navigate the virtual landscape and watch for potential red flags. This presentation, which runs from 6-7:30 p.m., details the risks students are facing, and practical, positive ways that adults can respond. Click here to register by Nov. 16.

Minnesota Truck Headquarters' annual Race to 300 Sales Event is on, and BBBS of Central MN needs your help to become one of the four local nonprofits to be a part of the event! From now until Sept. 25, vote for BBBS of Central MN daily to make a BIG difference and push the agency to the final four. Click here to vote daily!

Jackie Johnson, the Executive Director of BBBS of Central MN, is teaming up with Michelle Redman from BBBS of Southern MN and Pat Sukhum of BBBS Twin Cities to host a virtual community conversation! On Sept. 21, the three leaders will share their expertise and insights. Please click here for more information.

Are you a Thrivent member with a Thrivent Action Team, or do you know someone who is? Starting this Fall, BBBS is 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 Emily@BigDefenders.org. Please click here for more information.

As kids around Central Minnesota get ready to head back to school, BBBS is gearing up to support them! Between Aug. 22 and Oct. 31, BBBS of Central MN is looking to recruit 100 new Bigs to support waiting Littles in the area. If you know anyone interested in being a Big or someone who would be a great mentor, send them here for more information!

Are you looking for an easy way to give back to BBBS of Central MN every month? Start rounding up! Connect a card of your choice, and every time you make a purchase with that card, the total is rounded up to the next dollar - and that money goes to BBBS of Central MN! Round Up change accumulates and is donated on the last day of the month. Click here for more information!

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!

We are looking for more Bigs to ignite the potential of our youth. Click here to get started today!

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.

MSU Mankato is offering three Next Generation Nursing Assistant Classes this fall. The classes start Sept. 5, Oct. 3 and Oct. 31. The classes are free of charge and are offered in a hybrid format. Free CNA training is also open to all Minnesotans who are 16 or older. Please click here for more information.

Around Cloud Tutors continues to provide free, virtual tutoring services to all K-12 students in the greater St. Cloud region. Please click here for link.