September 2023
Hello Friend!
Can you feel it in the air? I know I can. "Back-to-School" is abuzz all around us. This time of year, I can't help remembering my back-to-school years, both as a student and as a mom: the excitement, the anxiety, the fear, the anticipation. As a student, wondering about my classes, who would I eat lunch with, and secretly hoping that a cute boy would be in some of my classes. As a mom, studying the classroom list and trying to make sure our son had everything he needed for a good start. Then the day would come and I would wish him good luck, smile and wave, and save my cry until the bus headed to the next stop.
Being a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters keeps me in the loop of this special time of year. We are in the middle of a recruitment campaign for 100 new adult Bigs. As a part of the campaign, we have testimonial videos on our social media. These testimonials tell the story better than I can. Please take some time to watch:
Maybe when you watch the videos, you'll be inspired to encourage your friend or talk to your employer about your business becoming involved, or consider being a mentor.
Thank you to everyone who is participating in this campaign; we are on our way to 100, but we aren't there just yet.
PS - Stay tuned, more videos to come…
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Jackie S. Johnson
Executive Director
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MEET SIMON & DESTIN!
Simon Thompson and Destin have been matched for almost three years! They were matched virtually in the midst of the pandemic, and have since been able to transition to meeting in person.
The two love to talk, play Destin’s card game he created and just hang out. Simon has been able to support Destin through his transition to middle school and has really helped him see that his interests and skills are pretty cool!
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Ben Eckberg and Ben are!
Meet Ben Eckberg and Ben! Ben was our longest waiting Little at more than 1,500 days, so he and his family were thrilled when they got the call that he had been matched with Ben Eckberg! They both like golf, archery, and dogs, as well as sports and being active. Ben is in a lot of sports, so Ben Eckberg is already making plans to go and watch him play. As you are considering being a Big, check out our current list of new Matches.
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THANK YOU, TROBEC'S AND SPANIER!
This month’s Partner Spotlight goes to our transportation partners for Bigs on Campus: Trobec's Bus Service and Spanier Bus Services! Both local bus companies donate their time and services twice a month to get youth from local junior and senior high schools to a college campus to spend time with their mentors for the Dr. Potter Bigs on Campus Mentoring Initiative. Trobec's serves our Saint Ben's/Saint John's initiative while Spanier transports kids to and from St. Cloud State.
We are grateful to all our Community Partners. Check out these lists, and the next time you are at that business or organization, please thank them for standing with kids!
Help with transportation to and from match activities is a constant need for BBBS of Central Minnesota. If you or your business are willing to sponsor a bus or help with transportation needs, contact Program Director Ann Matvick at 320-258-4517 or [email protected].
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ADVENTURE AT SUMMERLAND
With back-to-school looming for kids around Central Minnesota, our matches had one last big hurrah together with a night out at SummerLand Fun Park in Sauk Rapids! After enjoying a delicious taco bar, matches split time between the go karts, batting cages, and mini golf, enjoying a beautiful summer night. Thank you to Moss & Barnett for sponsoring the activity and allowing our matches to get together for a night of fun before school starts!
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CRUISING AROUND LAKE SAG
Matches had two different opportunities to get out on Lake Sag on the Saint John's campus in August thanks to Zach and Jack at Les Voyageurs! One match tipped (and quickly righted themselves), but everyone had a good time and enjoyed learning proper canoeing technique and exploring Lake Sag. Thanks to Zach, Jack, and Les Voyageurs for putting together such great programming for our Bigs and Littles!
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SKOL, VIKINGS!
Thanks to the generosity of a few of our friends and supporters, a few matches, as well as Littles and their families got to attend the Minnesota Vikings' preseason games against the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans! The outcome wasn't quite what they had hoped for, but everyone still had a great time. BIG thank you to Jim Bisek, Colleen Donovan, and JD Donovan for the ticket donations!
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BBBS IS TENDING FOR A CAUSE
Save the date! Join staff from BBBS of Central MN on Wednesday, Sept. 6, as we take over the taps at Beaver Island Brewing! From 5-7 p.m. that day, we'll be signing up new Bigs and helping you unwind with a local beer. All tips, $1 per pint and $3 per growler goes back to BBBS, so bring a friend! (This event is 21+) Let us know if you're coming via the Facebook event!
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NAUTICAL BOWLS FUNDRAISER
On Tuesday, Sept. 26, head to Nautical Bowls in St. Cloud to get a tasty snack (or meal!) and support BBBS of Central Minnesota! That day, Nautical Bowls is donating 10 percent of the day's profits to BBBS. Nautical Bowls - located at 305 5th Ave S in St. Cloud - is open from 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. See you there!
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100 NEW BIGS BY SEPT. 15
It's back-to-school season in Central Minnesota, but so much learning happens outside of the classroom. This fall, BBBS of Central Minnesota needs to recruit 100 new adult mentors by Sept. 15! As of Aug. 27 we were almost halfway there with 48 new mentors, but we still need your help! There are currently more than 160 kids on the waiting list for a mentor, so sign up today to be a mentor here or contact [email protected]!
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BBBS PRIDE TEES AVAILABLE
Show off your Pride and support BBBS with this BBBS Pride T-shirt! BBBS of Central Minnesota has a limited number of Pride shirts for sale. The T-shirts are $15 each and come in black or white, and are available in sizes small, medium, large, or extra large. Shirts will be available for pickup in late July at the BBBS St. Cloud office. Email [email protected] to secure your shirt today!
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SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR BBBS!
Show your support for BBBS of Central Minnesota to everyone in your neighborhood and help us recruit new mentors with a branded yard sign! Email [email protected] if you're interested in putting a sign in your yard or stop by the St. Cloud office today to pick one up! (The signs measure two feet wide by 1 1/2 feet tall and come with a metal stake to keep it in the ground.)
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BIGS ON CAMPUS NEEDS YOUR HELP
Have you ever thought about being a Big? Do you know someone who would be a great Big? BBBS of Central Minnesota is looking for mentors to be a part of the Bigs on Campus initiative at St. Cloud State, St. Cloud Tech & Community College, and the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University for Fall 2023. Meet with your mentee twice a month for an hour at a time at SCSU, SCTCC, or CSB/SJU and help them get accustomed to life on a college campus! Click here for more information or to sign up to be part of the Bigs on Campus program!
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SUPPORT BBBS WHEN YOU SHOP!
Every time you shop, your spare change can help to support local youth! When you sign up today to donate on the BBBS of Central Minnesota website, you can 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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Khaldoun Ahmad, Daine Billmark, Jenna Binsfeld, Debbie Clausen, Patty Funk (Secretary), Melinda Gau, Isaih Handy, Lee Hurd, Courtney Kunkel (Treasurer), Bill Martin-Chaffee (DEI Officer), Lori Mohs, Mardi Noyes, Emmanuel Oppong, Chris Owen, Curran Poganski, Jason Primus, Rick Roehl (Vice Pres.),
Alex Schoephoerster (President), Christie Schulte, and Vicky Welty (Past Pres.).
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Barb Anderson, Mimi Bitzan, Mark Coborn, Joe Francis, Keith Julson, Lori Kloos, Andy Knoblauch,
Shelly Bauerly Kopel, John Mahowald, Mike Markman, Gary Marsden, Vince Mohs, Steve Sauer,
Kurt Scepaniak, Joyce Schlough, John Schnettler, Peter Spaniol, Eric Stalboerger, Perian Stavrum,
Mark Traut, Joan Vincent, Bob Walter, and Don Watkins.
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