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October 2024
Hello Friend!
In the heart of Minnesota, where community values are woven deeply into our daily lives, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) has been a beacon of hope, guidance, and opportunity for more than 55 years. We have dedicated ourselves to mentoring young people, helping them shape their futures, and fostering relationships that last a lifetime.
As the African proverb beautifully says, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." This principle perfectly summarizes our approach at BBBS. By joining forces across Central Minnesota, the Twin Cities, and Southern Minnesota, we’ve learned that together, our Big Brothers Big Sisters’ impact extends far beyond what any of us could achieve independently.
We recently spent a day together where the ideas and conversation were filling the room. Through this collaboration, we maximize our resources and pool our collective expertise to serve more children, families, and communities. Our success isn’t just measured by numbers or statistics, but by the stories of transformation and resilience. By working together, BBBS programs not only enrich the lives of individual Littles and Bigs, but we also strengthen the communities we serve. Each bond forged between a mentor and mentee creates a ripple of positivity that touches countless lives.
Looking to the future, this collaboration between BBBS programs across Minnesota shines as a source of inspiration for our colleagues across the country. It shows that through partnership, we can amplify our impact and plant the seeds for a brighter tomorrow. Together, we rise to meet challenges, celebrate our successes, and continue empowering the next generation to dream bigger and reach higher than ever before.
Reflecting on my 14 years in this role, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing a monumental cultural shift within our Minnesota BBBS agencies. We’ve moved from operating independently to working collaboratively, transforming the way we serve our communities. The person I credit for leading this change is Mr. Jeff Fetters, Chairman of Federated Insurance Companies and chair of the Federated Challenge for Kids fundraiser, which supports our three agencies and the national BBBS office. Jeff’s mentorship, advocacy, and unwavering belief in our mission to stand with kids has enabled our agencies to go further together, creating lasting change that will resonate for generations to come.
I want to take a moment to thank my wonderful colleagues, Pat Sukham, Twin Cities, and Michelle Redman, Southern Minnesota, and offer my heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Jeff Fetters. Together, we are truly making a difference.
PS: If you want to see collaboration demonstrated in on social media, check out the Reel that the three Minnesota agencies plus staff from the national office came together to create!
With hope and gratitude,
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Jackie S. Johnson
Executive Director
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MEET EMMITT & SYLAS!
Emmitt Edwards and Sylas are approaching the one-year mark of their match in November. Together they enjoy watching and playing basketball, going to the mall and Airmaxx, and sharing a bite to eat.
Emmitt has been such a good friend and influence on Sylas. He even helped Sylas get his mom a Mother’s Day gift this year! Sylas has shared that he likes Emmitt because he is nice, brave, and teaches him stuff. These two have such a fun friendship built already and we’re excited to watch them continue to grow!
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THANK YOU TO WILKIE SANDERSON!
This month’s Partner Spotlight goes to Wilkie Sanderson! Every year, Federated Insurance and the Minnesota United FC team up to host an evening at Allianz Field for matches from the Central Minnesota, Southern Minnesota, and Twin Cities BBBS agencies. This year, Wilkie Sanderson graciously agreed to sponsor the bus and additional expenses to get our matches from St. Cloud to St. Paul and back for this fun activity! Thank you to Marc Sanderson and everyone at Wilkie Sanderson for making it possible for our matches to enjoy this fun experience!
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!
BBBS of Central Minnesota is always looking for businesses to host or sponsor match activities. If you or your business are willing to sponsor or host a match activity, contact Jackie Johnson at 320-258-4510 or Jackie@BigDefenders.org.
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DOING BIG THINGS DURING DAY(S) OF CARING
BBBS of Central Minnesota kept volunteers busy during the United Way Day(s) of Caring! There was a Big for a Day event at Mississippi Heights Elementary where volunteers played games and hung out with some of our waiting Littles. Another group came to the office and hosted Bingo for Littles and a few matches. We had people handing out our flyers to local businesses, putting together safety packets for matches, and painting various rooms in the office. Thank you so much to each and every one of the volunteers for their hard work, and for United Way for hosting such a great week!
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THINKING BIG FOR THE FUTURE
Matches got the chance to take a look at future career options thanks to a collaboration between St. Cloud Technical & Community College, Blattner Energy, and the Boys and Girls Club. They had the opportunity to step inside Blattner's interactive truck to learn more about careers there and the services they provide; use VR headsets from the Boys and Girls Club to see what various trade and skill jobs look like; and go on tours to learn more about various programs at SCTCC. It was a fun and educational experience for everyone, and a unique way to look to the future!
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HOOPING WITH THE HUSKIES
The St. Cloud State men's basketball team hosted a mini clinic for a handful of our matches in September. It was a smaller group, but that meant Littles got more one-on-one time with both the players and their Bigs - and everyone had a great time! Both the Bigs and Littles got a St. Cloud State T-shirt and basketball to take home, and we think it's pretty safe to say there's a few more SCSU basketball fans in the area now!
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CHEERING ON THE JOHNNIES
Thanks to a generous ticket donation from Deerwood Bank, Xavier and Alyssa got to take in the Saint John's football team's first big win of the year in September! The weather was perfect, and Alyssa said she and Xavier had a great time watching the Johnnies play at Clemends Stadium in Collegeville. Thanks to Deerwood Bank for the tickets and helping our matches, Littles, and families experience new things together!
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WELCOME, KRISTIN!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota is excited to welcome Kristin Hannon to the BBBS family! Kristin joined the Central Minnesota team on Sept. 23 as the agency's new advancement director. Kristin comes to BBBS after more than 20 years in banking around Central Minnesota, and she also brings a heart for nonprofits as she has been a part of the INDY Foundation's event committee for the past five years. She is also the current president of the Forum of Executive Women. Please join us in welcoming Kristin to Big Brothers Big Sisters!
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BBBS AWARD WINNERS
A trio of individuals with ties to BBBS of Central Minnesota received community awards recently! Shelly Bauerly Kopel received a Friend of Youth Award from the Central Minnesota Morning Optimist Club in June, and in late September Max Vetter - a High School Big from Foley - received a Youth Appreciation Award from the Morning Optimist Club. Also in September, board member and DEI Committee co-chair Bill Martin-Chaffee received the 2024 Social Trust Award from the Central Minnesota Community Foundation. Congratulations to Shelly, Max, and Bill, and thank you for your dedication to BBBS and commitment to serving our kids!
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JOIN US AT THE BIG THANKS
You play such an big role in the important work we do every day. Whether it's donations, gifts of time, or being a Big, we wouldn’t be able to do any of this without you. This November, we want to celebrate YOU and your consistent support of our agency. Join us at The Regency in downtown St. Cloud on Thursday, Nov. 14, for an open house-style event from 4:30-6:30 p.m. We will have a short program at 6 p.m., and there will be appetizers and a cash bar. The dress code is business casual. Feel free to invite a friend or coworker who is interested in learning more about BBBS! Please RSVP here by Oct. 25. Special thanks to PCI, APH, DeZURIK, BCI Construction, St. Cloud Financial Credit Union, and Custom Catering by Shortstop for sponsoring this event! Thank you to our agency partners Federated Insurance, LocalIQ and Leighton Media for their support throughout the year.
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NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
Nominations are now open for Bigs and Littles of the Year! If you know a Little who has thrived while being a part of our program, or a Big - adult or High School Big - that has gone above and beyond during their time as a mentor - nominate them for an award! Nominations close Friday, Oct. 11. All nominees will be honored at The Big Celebration in April 2025. Nominate a deserving Big or Little here.
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BE BIG IN THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR!
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 both the Bigs on Campus initiative and at all six of our school-based locations. Bigs on Campus mentors meet with their mentees twice a month for an hour at a time at St. Cloud State, St. Cloud Technical & Community College, or College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University and help them get accustomed to life on a college campus. School-based matched meet once a week for 30 minutes at the Little's school in St. Cloud, Sartell, Sauk Rapids-Rice, Pierz, Holdingford, or Foley. Click here for more information or to become a Big!
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Khaldoun Ahmad, Daine Billmark, Jenna Binsfeld, Patty Funk (Secretary), Melinda Gau, Isaih Handy, Lee Hurd, Preston Kopel, Jake Krippner, 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), and Christie Schulte. | |
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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, Don Watkins, and Vicky Welty.
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