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Monthly Archives

March 2019

Mar 31

Remembering Devoted Big Brother Jeff Wagner

By In The News

Jeff Wagner was an inspiration to all that knew him. He had many roles he will be remembered for: loyal friend, #1 USF fan, a two-time cancer survivor, motivational speaker, and philanthropist But one of the roles he was most proud of was his time spent as a dedicated Big Brother. Jeff was a Big Brother with our Tampa Bay agency for 20 years. Over the years, he was matched with 3 Little Brothers. Jeff kept in regular contact with his two former Little Brothers, Corey and Brandon, who are now adults with their own families. And, for the past 8 years, he has been matched with his current Little Brother, Casey. “He truly was larger than life,” said Casey’s mom Crystal. “His courage, his strength, his passion for life, his kind heart and his love for everyone he knew … was like no other, and he would make sure you knew it.” Jeff was always there for his Littles, no matter what, and did everything he could to help them grow and succeed. Jeff also helped raise funds for BBBSTB and could frequently be found supporting the agency at one of our events or activities. Jeff will be greatly missed, and we know his legacy will live on through the impact he has had on his Little Brothers, and the entire agency.

Mar 27
Old Salt Fishing Clinic with BBBS

Old Salt Fishing Foundation Hosted Fishing Clinic

By Match Events

Matches at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay enjoyed a day of fishing and fun in the sun.

 

Bigs and Littles from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay recently enjoyed a fishing clinic hosted by the Old Salt Fishing Foundation and the Rotary Club of the Gulf Beaches. Matches had the opportunity to learn more about casting a line and baiting a hook. Then they were able to fish on their own. A few were lucky enough to catch some small fish, but most matches just enjoyed spending the day together at ROC Park at Madeira Beach. Afterward, matches were invited to the Spring Break Festival & Carnival hosted annually by the Rotary Club of the Gulf Beaches. The organization donated free wrist bands for Littles who had attended the fishing clinic. Special thanks to Big Mitchell Shenkman for helping make this match event possible!

View photos from the event.

Mar 05
Nikki and Carolyn

Pinellas Big Sister Carolyn Sinclair Named 2019 Florida Big Sister of the Year

By In The News, Match Stories

Pinellas County’s Carolyn Sinclair has been selected as Florida’s Big Sister of the Year, the state’s Big Brothers Big Sisters Association has announced. Carolyn, a Big Sister with BBBS of Tampa Bay, was chosen from 10 nominees that had been submitted from the 11 BBBS organizations state-wide.

Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations across the state nominated Bigs to be the Florida Big Brother and Big Sister of the Year, who will represent all of the BBBS organizations in the state. The BBBS Association of Florida carefully selects one Big Sister and one Big Brother that truly personifies what it means to be a defender of potential.

As a former school principal, Carolyn recognized how much at-risk children benefit from having mentors and role models. When she was first matched with Little Sister Nikki, Carolyn describes her as “shy, well behaved and somewhat sad.”

A year later, Nikki and her younger sister were placed in foster care. But Carolyn remained a constant source of support.

“I was and still am her staunch advocate,” said Carolyn. “Through our six-plus years together, there have been numerous changes in schools, addresses, living situations, and foster homes. There has been a parade of case managers, social workers, and counselors. Throughout all these changes, I was there trying to provide some sort of childhood normalcy for her.”

Nikki and Carolyn first bonded over a mutual love of books. Nikki, now 17 and a high school junior, is starting to weigh her college options and is considering a career in journalism.

“There was a point, in the middle of all the bureaucracy and logistics that comes with being in the foster care system, I was afraid that our match wouldn’t be able to continue,” said Nikki, who, along with her sister, were recently adopted. “But I’m so incredibly grateful that it did. Because through all the fears, tears and emotions, Carolyn was there. She was my one constant in a sea of tumult, my one confidant in the line of strangers that I had to learn to trust. And it was Carolyn that helped me learn how to do that.”

“The most important lesson I’ve learned from my Big Sister is to be positive,” Nikki said. “Positivity was hard to find in places that weren’t home. I found that in Carolyn.”

Watch Big Sister Carolyn and Little Sister Nikki’s match story on YouTube.

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