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!

The application for scholarships for Fall 2024 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 Sunday, March 24, 2024. The winner will be notified by April 17, 2024. The winner and their family will be invited to our Big Celebration on April 24, 2024, to receive the scholarship. 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.

BriAnna's family honors her memory by awarding a current/past Little or High School Big with a $500 scholarship to a college of their choice. The deadline to apply for a scholarship for Fall 2024 is Sunday, March 24, 2024. The winner will be notified by April 17, 2024. The winner and their family will be invited to our Big Celebration on April 24, 2024, to receive the scholarship. Please click here for eligibility requirements and application details.

If you have any questions please contact Ann Matvick at 320-258-4517 or Ann@BigDefenders.org.

Thanks to the generosity of past and current Big Brothers Daniel Weidner and Nathan Molitor, two $1,000 scholarship opportunities are available. One scholarship is available to current or former Littles in the BBBS of Central Minnesota program graduating from high school, and another is available to current or former Littles currently attending college. The applicant must have been involved in the program for at least 18 months and be planning to enroll or currently enrolled at a trade, tech or community college or four-year institution. Online applications are due Sunday, March 24, 2024. The winner will be notified by April 17, 2024. The winner and their family will be invited to our Big Celebration on April 24, 2024, to receive the scholarship. Click here to apply or for more details.

Applications for scholarships available through Community Giving are now open. The Community Giving website has 17 pages of scholarships for students from around Central Minnesota and beyond attending both two- and four-year institutions. There are scholarships available for high school seniors heading to college and students currently attending college. Be sure to click on each scholarship to learn more about eligibility, requirements, and scholarship deadlines. Click here for full list of scholarships.

Winter Coat Giveaway - St. Cloud Subaru is helping to make this winter a little warmer for local kids. On Monday, Jan. 15, coats donated by the dealership will be given out to kids in need at the St. Cloud Police Department. The giveaway runs from 1-4 p.m. or until supplies run out. The police department is located at 101 11th Ave. N in St. Cloud. Both the parent/guardian and child must be present to receive a coat. Stop by or register here for a guaranteed spot.

2024 Optimist Essay Contest - The 2024 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: Optimism: How it Connects Us. 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, 2024, and winners will be announced Feb. 19. 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.

MLK Community Celebration - The 2024 MLK Community Celebration is Saturday, Jan. 13. It is free and includes face painting and snacks, a historical march, virtual reality, and human coding with the Great River Children's Museum. This event runs from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Atwood Memorial Center on the SCSU campus and no registration is required. The MLK Community Breakfast is at 8:15 on Monday, Jan. 15, and registration is required. Learn more and register for the breakfast here.

Showshoeing for Beginners - Learn to snowshoe with St. Cloud Park & Rec and the Whitney Senior Center! Discover the fundamentals of snowshoeing with expert guidance from Fitzharris Ski, Bike & Outdoor instructors, then go off and explore the park! This class is free and open to all ages; youth under age 16 must be accompanied by a registered parent/guardian. Session I is Monday, Jan. 15 and Session II is Saturday, Feb. 3. Both sessions run 1-2:30 p.m. at Riverside Park in St. Cloud. There is a limit of 20 participants per session, so RSVP early. Hot chocolate and snowshoes will be provided.

Full Calendar of Events at the Library - If you're looking for something to do on any given day of the week, check out the Great River Regional Library's new and improved calendar of events! From Halloween activities to storytime schedules to special guests, the calendar includes a full list of events from each of the GRRL branches around Central Minnesota. Click here to view the full calendar.

Bold & Bright - A new winter celebration is coming to St. Cloud in January 2024. Head to downtown St. Cloud Jan. 26-28 for Bold & Bright - three days of performances, events, and lights. There are fire performers, live music, an outdoor film, a winter market, ice carving, a parade, a laser show and more - and it's all free! Click here to view the full schedule of events.

Snowy Sundays - Join St. Cloud Park and Rec for Skiing/Sledding/Showshoeing Sundays in 2024! From 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 14 and 28 and Feb. 4, 11, 18, and 25, head to Riverside Park for some outdoor fun. A fire will be going and snowshoes can be checked out on a first-come, first-serve basis. Visit the website for full details.

Affordable Connectivity Program -The FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program allows individuals and families to save on their monthly internet bills and potentially qualify for free high-speed internet. Qualification for the program is dependent on household income. Visit the website for full details and to apply.

Tri-CAP Help for Families - If you or anyone you know is struggling to fulfil basic needs - transportation, paying bills, finding food, etc. - check out the Tri-CAP website. Tri-CAP (Tri-County Action Program) can provide assistance for basic needs, self sufficiency, building stability and more. Click here for more info.

Stearns History Museum Free for Stearns County Residents - The Stearns History Museum recently announced that throughout 2024, the museum will be free of charge for Stearns County Residents! The museum is celebrating 40 years in its current building in 2024. The free admission does not include paid programs or events. Email executive director Amy Degerstrom with questions or for more details on the free admission policy.

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.

St. Cloud Park & Rec Winter Chill - Bundle up and enjoy the outdoors! From 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, head to Riverside Park in St. Cloud for an afternoon of winter fun. Sledding, snowshoeing, a bonfire, arts and crafts, hot chocolate, s'mores, door prizes and more will be available for free. Bring your own winter equipment from home to add to the fun; snowshoes will be available to use while supplies last. Check out the website for more info.

Free Meals for Kids - Free nutritious meals for kids 18 and under are just one click away. Download the Free Meals for Kids mobile app to help families and kids find free meals at schools and other sites around Minnesota. Click here for more information.

BBBS of Central Minnesota and the InSports Foundation are teaming up to help get more kids in the game. InSports offers scholarships to kids to help pay for participation, traveling, equipment, and more, so that cost isn't a barrier between youth and sports. Athletes in grades K-12 are eligible to apply, and can apply for a scholarship once a year. Click here to apply or for more info.

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!

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 10 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. 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!

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!

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

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

Get a jump start on your STEM education with this one-day workshop for girls in grades five through eight! From 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, join students from St. Cloud State and the College of Saint Benedict in exploring a wide variety of fun, engaging, interactive workshops that help you explore and learn about the STEM field. Use code UnitedWay24 to waive the $10 registration fee! Click here to register or for more information on program options.

Exploring is a program that connects youth ages 14-20 with community businesses and professionals through career Exploring posts. Applications are currently open for posts exploring Vehicle Repair and Maintenance; Manufacturing Careers; Grocery Careers; HVAC; and Hospitality and Events. Click here to apply or for more information.

Get Ready is a program that partners with K12 schools, higher education, and community-based organizations to collectively advance access to essential information and resources that help students and families make an informed decision about life after high school. Get Ready commits to the students' progress by devoting resources to support their first year of college success. Learn more about Get Ready and resources available here, or check out their summer camps here.

Do you wish you could do more to support your local community and neighbors? United Way of Central Minnesota has a variety of volunteer opportunities available throughout the area! This website shows volunteer opportunities ranging from working with animal shelters to local youth to working with the elderly at local care facilities. Check it out and start giving back to your community!

Are you interested in a career in health care, or just looking to give back to your community? Become a Junior Volunteer at CentraCare! You can learn about career options, meet new people, and gain valuable skills - all while helping patients at the St. Cloud Hospital. Click here for more information or to apply! (Volunteers must be 14 or older.)

If you've got big goals and you're looking for the right job to achieve them, consider joining Career Solutions' Job Club. Job Club meets every Thursday from 10:30 a.m.-Noon and is open to anyone who is job searching. Job seekers must register to attend. Please click here for more information or to register.

Higher Works Collaborative in St. Cloud works to advance the lives and livelihoods of African Americans in Central Minnesota. They offer tutoring and classes to help prepare middle and high schoolers for life after high school. Please click here for more information.

Career Solutions helps Central Minnesota find a job or career that's right for them. The WIOA Young Adult Program can help assess future careers, assess skills and interests and assist with job searches. Please click here for more information.