Sartell Vibe - Free kids drinks for Littles with paid purchase of a drink by Big. |
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St. Cloud Area YMCA - Big and Littles come to the Y for free - neither has to be a member. Check in at the front desk and show BBBS ID card. |
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FEDERATED SCHOLARSHIP NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
The application for scholarships for Fall 2023 semester is now open. Thanks to the generosity of the Federated Challenge, BBBS of Central Minnesota is offering a scholarship for up to $5,000 for students to attend a non-four year education that focuses on obtaining an apprenticeship, certificate or associate’s degree. The deadline to apply is Monday, April 10. Please click here eligibility requirements and application details.
Interested students may fill out the online application individually, but are encouraged to contact Ann Matvick, Program Director, at Ann@BigDefenders.org or 320-258-4517 for assistance with filling out the application and with any questions.
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BRIANNA KRUZEL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS OPEN
BriAnna Kruzel is a former Little Sister and High School Big Sister who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in September 2013. BriAnna believed strongly in giving and volunteering. She was an active member of Big Brothers Big Sisters, volunteered with Sartell Community Education, her church, and would help anyone that needed assistance.
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PROJECT S.A.V.E. SCHOLARSHIP
Each year, the Project S.A.V.E. Charity Foundation awards 16 college scholarships of $1,000 each to senior high school students. Students are asked to pick one of the following categories to apply: Sports, Arts, Volunteerism, or Education. Project S.A.V.E. has also partnered with Central MN Auto Care Association to provide five additional $1,000 scholarships for high school senioes looking to take automotive-related courses at an area tech school following graduation. Applicants must live in Central Minnesota, have applied to a four-year accredited college/university or a two-year tech school, and meet all academic requirements to graduate by June 2023. Applications are due by April 14, 2023. Click here for more information or to apply.
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JIM'S TEAM 4 DIABETES SCHOLARSHIP
Jim's Team 4 Diabetes Foundation - located in Blaine - offers college scholarships for up to $1,000 for students with Type 1 Diabetes. Applicants must be a current high school senior that will graduate in 2023. Undergraduate students enrolled at a four-year accredited college or university or two-year tech school are also eligible to apply for a scholarship to help with diabetic supplies, room and board, or books. The application includes a letter from a physician or CDE certifying the diagnosis and an essay describing the impact Type 1 Diabetes has had on the student's life. Applications are due May 15, 2023, for high school seniors, May 1 for college students enrolled in summer classes in 2023 and Aug. 1 for college students enrolled in classes for Fall 2023. Click here for more information or to apply.
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2023 Optimist Essay Contest - The 2023 Optimist Essay Contest is now open! The contest is open to students under the age of 19 who have not completed high school. This year's topic is: Who is an everyday hero that brings out the optimism in you? First place receives $500, second $250 and third $150. The local winner is entered into an area essay contest where the first-place prize is a $2,500 scholarship. The local contest entry deadline is Feb. 8, 2023, and winners will be announced Feb. 17. All completed essays should be sent to Aimee Minnerath. Mail paper copies to: Boys & Girls Club of Central MN, Attn: Aimee Minnerath 345 30th Ave N. St. Cloud, MN 56303. |
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Great River Regional Library Reading Challenges - Do you love to read? Are you looking to read more? The Great River Regional Library is kicking off 2023 with a variety of reading challenges. There is a Winter Reading Program for readers ages 12 and up and a Kids Bingo Reading Challenge for young readers up to age 11. Both challenges run through Feb. 28. Click here for more information or to sign up.
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Stearns County Parks Winter Events - Looking to get outside more in February? Check out Stearns County Parks! On Saturday, Feb. 18, head to the Wildwood Ranch Maple Syrup Sugar House at Kraemer Lake - Wildwood County Park in St. Joseph for the Snow Stomp and make snowshoe trails through the woods. Or on Friday, Feb. 24, try out the Moonlight Hike at Warner Lake Nature Center in Clearwater. Click here for more information - no registration required for either event! |
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Marcus Cinema Kid's Dream Film Series - Now through April 2, head to Parkwood Cinema in Waite Park to watch your favorite family movie for just $3! A new family friendly movie is shown each week, including Trolls Feb. 10-12 and Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank Feb. 17-20. Click here for more details or to purchase tickets.
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QueerConnect Monthly Meetups - QueerConnect Youth events are designed to help connect people in the LGBTQIA+ community. On the third Monday of every month, local middle and high school students are welcome at the QueerConnect Monthly Meetup. The meetup takes place from 5-8 p.m. at the St. Cloud COP House at 600 13th St. S. Follow St. Cloud Pride on Facebook or check out the website for more info. |
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Check out a Binge Box - Looking for something fun to do during the cold, snowy winter days? Check out a Binge Box from the St. Cloud library! Each box contains a handful of movies of all genres, and the checkout period is seven days. Click here for more information.
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Arts Underground at St. Cloud Paramount - Every Thursday from Sept. 15, 2022, through May 18, 2023, head to the Paramount Center for the Arts in downtown St. Cloud to try your hand at various skills! Work with a studio mentor to try throwing a bowl on the wheel, piece together a mosaic or make a clay sculpture. Youth 19 and under are $5 each and adults are $10. Click here for more information.
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DEI SURVEY COMING SOON
On Thursday, Feb. 9, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota will be sending out a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion assessment survey to current Bigs as well as Parents and Guardians of Littles. BBBS is committed to be an inclusive organization. As such, we are seeking to develop and promote policies and programs that provide equal access and opportunity for organization volunteers, families, supporters, and team.
We are committed to fostering a culture that values the diversity of every member of the BBBS community. We will be using your feedback from the survey to help develop the infrastructure around our programming and ensure that we are providing equal access and opportunities for our BBBS community. We value your insight and experience so if you receive a survey we encourage you to take the time to fill out the survey so BBBS can build a more inclusive organization and community.
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ROUND UP TO DONATE
AmazonSmile is sunsetting at the end of the month, but we have a new and easy way for you to support local youth. When you sign up today to donate on the BBBS of Central Minnesota website, you can choose to 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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BBBS PARTNERS WITH CSB+SJU
BBBS of Central Minnesota recently secured a second location for its Dr. Potter Bigs on Campus Mentoring Initiative. Starting in January, students from Kennedy Community School in St. Joseph will be matched with faculty, staff, alumni and business professionals at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University. Matches meet twice a month for an hour at a time and will tour both campuses, do group activities and have time for one-to-one mentoring. If you or anyone you know would be interested in being a Big for the CSB+SJU Bigs on Campus initiative, email Emmitt Edwards for more information! |
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BBBS TEAMS UP WITH TARGET CIRCLE
To kick off 2023, BBBS of Central Minnesota is participating in the Target Circle program! You can vote for us and help direct Target’s giving to benefit youth in Central Minnesota. Now through March 31, shop at Target's two St. Cloud locations, or locations across Central Minnesota, to earn votes. For full program details and restrictions visit Target Circle.
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BIGS ON CAMPUS NEEDS YOUR HELP
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BBBS PARTNERS WITH THRIVENT
Are you a Thrivent member with a Thrivent Action Team, or do you know someone who is? 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.
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LITTLE BIG VIRTUAL ACADEMY
Welcome to a 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!
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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/resources
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READY, SET, FAFSA
If you're getting ready to go to college, tune in during the month of February for a series of college and financial aid webinars created specifically for students and families. Sessions are Tuesday Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 7 p.m. and Thursday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. All five sessions are virtual and will go over various aspects of financial aid. Please click here for more information or to register for a session.
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GET HELP WITH HIGHER WORKS COLLABORATIVE
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MAA HELPS FAMILIES WITH AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
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