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Monthly Archives

March 2022

In Loving Memory of Big Sister and Former Employee Donna Gans

By In The News

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay is beyond saddened to share with you that Donna Gans, a former employee of ours for over 16 years, passed away on March 14, 2022.

Donna shared her passion for serving kids in many ways over the years, and in her last role was our Senior Enrollment & Matching Specialist for Pasco County. She was also a Big Sister to Zoie for three school years at Seven Springs Elementary, where they liked to work on puzzles, play games, read, and talk about recipes. At the end of their second year together, Zoie wrote a card to her Big Sister, “Dear Mrs. Donna, Thank you for all you’ve done for me. I always think of you. I think you are a very good big sister. I think that you are loving, caring, kind to me. I think that you are a very nice person.”

Over her many years with BBBSTB, Donna created countless meaningful mentoring relationships and was a pillar of support for her Pasco colleagues. She was always such a strong advocate for the impact of our program and willing to jump in to help her coworkers across the agency. Donna made many friends along the way and will always be a part of our BBBS family.

Donna was also a veteran, and she will receive military service and burial in her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Our hearts go out to Donna’s family. Her loved ones have invited the community to view her obituary here.

Making a Difference in the Life of a Child

By Resources

It’s pretty simple.

By building a trusting friendship with your Little you can have a positive impact on their life. It may not be immediately noticeable, but you are planting seeds and cultivating future effects. That’s what it’s all about.

Here are some additional thoughts on making a difference with your Little:

Showing up consistently and sharing activities together (events, having lunch, just talking) is the biggest factor in forming a positive relationship with your Little.
Simply focusing on your Little’s interests and having fun together will build connection.
Learn about your Little; their experiences, background, and family traditions play an important role in who they are.
Deciding what activities to do together fosters a stronger relationship.
By being there you are making a difference even if you don’t think you are. If you’re ever concerned about not making a difference, talk it over with your Match Support Specialist. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay provides you with support and resources as a volunteer.

Remember, the success and power of mentoring are not about one mentoring session or conversation.

It is about building trust over time and allowing Littles to express themselves, ask questions, and know that they are heard, seen, and valued for who they are and what they believe.

 

GET STARTED AS A BIG BY ATTENDING A BIG ORIENTATION & TRAINING SESSION. WE HAVE UPCOMING IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL OPTIONS AVAILABLE.

 

 

March Match of the Month

By Match Stories

Big Sister Sarah and Little Brother Dashaun “Dino” have been matched in the program since January of 2013 and just celebrated year 9 of being matched, all while continuing to see each other on a consistent basis. The connection between these two has been very strong and positive on both ends from the beginning up until now. Throughout the match, Sarah has made it her business to help Dino with anything he needs help with, which has usually been math. Sarah is part of a tutoring company that she and her family operate, and through that has been tutoring Dino with his math for years. In the past year, Sarah was able to stop tutoring Dino in math because of how well he has been doing on his own. Regardless, Sarah continues to make herself available to Dino with whatever help he may need in school as he progresses to the next grade level.

Dino and Sarah are movie fanatics and enjoy spending most of their outings seeing the latest films to hit theaters. Most recently, the pair enjoyed watching the new Spiderman flick. For Sarah’s birthday, Dino decided to take her out for dinner at Chili’s and covered the full bill, tip and all! While on their outings, Dino always makes it a point to joke around with Sarah about how he is the big brother, and she is the little sister because of how much taller he is than her now. Dino has also started driving, so now he takes himself to meet up with Sarah from time to time for their outings. Dino is on the football team at his school and Sarah makes sure that she comes out to support him during games when she can. This is something that Dino has also pegged as being something he would like to do as a career, so she always reminds him that he is capable. These two have truly developed a strong brother-sister friendship, so much so that Dino was in the holiday photoshoot with Sarah and her family! Sarah, Dino, and Dino’s mother are grateful for the agency and the impact it has had on everyone involved. This is definitely a match that will continue to thrive years and years from now and beyond!

Want to change a life today? Click here to see the orientation and training schedule.

March Community Events 2022

By Match Events

FREE & LOW-COST COMMUNITY EVENTS

FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL— MARCH. 3RD-13TH
Plant City, FL

The Florida Strawberry Festival is an 11-day community event celebrating the strawberry harvest of Eastern Hillsborough County. Each year, over 500,000 visitors enjoy the festival’s headline entertainment, youth livestock shows, rides, exhibits of commerce, and, of course, the strawberry shortcake.

Please note there is a gate admission:

Children (6-12): $5.00
Adult: $10.00

Click here for more details!

 

BLOOMIN’ ARTS FESTIVAL — MARCH. 5TH-6TH 2022
Polk County, Bartow, FL

The Bloomin’ Arts Festival is a juried Fine Arts festival and is Bartow’s premier event of the year. It is held on the first full weekend each March. You’ll find over 100 artists – painters, sculptors, jewelers, woodworkers, metal artists, clay artists, mixed media, and fiber – with artwork to view and buy. The festival takes place along several blocks of historic downtown Bartow and includes food vendors, a car show, a quilt exhibit, student artwork on display, and a hands-on art tent for kids.

Cost: FREE
Event Dates: March 5 – 6, 2022
Learn More: Bloomin’ Arts Festival Website

 

MAYOR’S RIVER GREEN FEST— UPDATED TO MARCH 13th DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park/Riverwalk
Downtown Tampa, FL

The Mayor’s River O’Green Fest is the City of Tampa’s official annual Saint Patrick’s Day event that takes place in beautiful Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. The party is centered around the Hillsborough River, which will be transformed into a bright shade of green for the occasion. The river provides a perfect backdrop to the celebration which includes live entertainment, games, kids activities, local restaurants serving small plates of Irish faire, and more!  Click here for more information.

 

GASPARILLA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS—MARCH 5TH- 6TH
1001 North Boulevard Tampa, FL

Each year, hundreds of artists from around the country and abroad who wish to show their work to near 30,000 art enthusiasts from all over Florida and beyond are selected to participate in the Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. Check out the Children’s Activities here!
A nationally respected juror with experience in a variety of media will review the displayed artwork and make the final decisions for the award ceremony on Saturday evening.

Click here for children’s activities!

 

AIR FEST—MARCH 26TH-MARCH 27
MacDill Air Force Base

Tampa Bay AirFest 2022 will be a weekend packed with heart-pounding flight performances and family friending activities! Brought to you by the men and women who work and serve at MacDill Air Force Base. Performers include the United States Navy Blue Angels and more!

Free Admission and parking! Click here for more details.

 

FREE SKI SHOW—MARCH 13TH AND 27TH
Lake Hollingsworth, Lakeland, FL

The Lakeland Water Ski Club invites you to be a part of our monthly ski shows. Park in the Lakeland Country Club Parking Lot and bring a chair or blanket. They have been show skiing for the Lakeland community since 1949 on beautiful Lake Hollingsworth. They are the oldest, continuously operating water ski club in the United States.

Click here for more details!

 

OTHER MATCH ACTIVITY IDEAS

 

MARCH 13TH—VIRTUAL COOKING CLASS WITH MILK STREET KITCHEN

Chris Kimball’s Milk Street Kitchen is continuing to host virtual cooking classes into 2022. This class is designed for all Littles aged 13 or older and their Bigs from any affiliate chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Learn to mince, chop, smash and slice with the Milk Street Cooking School! To register, click here. Immediately after registering, you will get a confirmation email that contains your Zoom meeting log-in information, the recipe we will make in class, and instructions for how to prepare ingredients and equipment. After class, you will receive a recording of the event, as well as a packet with recipes and resources that we discuss during the event. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via cookingschool@177milkstreet.com.

 

Jumping Jack Flash

Here’s a fun way to practice math facts AND get out the wiggles that your Little may have during your time together. Both you and your little will make a fist with one hand and pound it in the palm of the other hand 2 times as you say, “Jumping Jack”. On the count of 3 instead of pounding your fist you will say “Flash” and flash a number 1-10. Your Little will then add your number and his/her number together. Once the correct sum is given you both can do that number of jumping jacks. It’s simple, it’s fun, and it’s educational!

 

Kindness rocks!

Decorate rocks with inspirational messages, and then leave them in public places or give them to someone who may need them.

Women’s History Month 2022

By Resources

March is Women’s History Month, a time to uplift women’s voices and honor the contributions of women throughout history. Girls and young women face a unique set of challenges but continue to persist and break-down barriers. Take time this month to learn from women throughout history who have paved the way for the next generation of young women to reach their full potential. 

Firsts are powerful and important, but we must not forget those who helped them arrive there. This Women’s History Month, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay will highlight women who were “firsts” and the greats who stood behind them along the way.

Viola Davis, Actor & Producer

Viola Davis was the first African American to achieve “triple crown” status by being awarded a Primetime Emmy, an Academy Award, and two Tony Awards. 

She credits Cicely Tyson, a friend, and fellow actress, as a key mentor who inspired her. “You made me feel loved and seen and valued in a world where there is still a cloak of invisibility for us dark chocolate girls. You gave me permission to dream…because it was only in my dreams that I could see the possibilities in myself.” 

Cicely was known for her on-screen performances, which garnered her three Primetime Emmy Awards, four Black Reel Awards, an honorary Academy Award, one Screen Actors Guild Award, a Tony Award, and Peabody Award. In addition to these accolades, President Barack Obama awarded her the Medal of Freedom in 2016. She stated this was the most important award she received in her lifetime. 

Lucy Stone, Women’s Sufferage Movement

Susan B. Anthony’s name is typically the first to come to mind when thinking about women’s right to vote in the United States. She appears on our currency and in most history books. She is arguably the most well-known contributor to the Women’s Suffrage movement. 

But who inspired Anthony to become involved with Women’s Suffrage? A woman named Lucy Stone is said to have inspired Anthony to take up the cause in the first place after Anthony attended a convention that Stone had spoken at. 

Lucy Stone became the first woman from Massachusetts to obtain a degree after completing her studies at Oberlin College. An accomplished orator with sharp rhetoric, she was asked to compose the class commencement speech. She declined the request because she would not be allowed to read it due to being a woman. At Oberlin’s 50th Anniversary celebration, Stone returned and spoke on stage. 

Stone spent much of her life traveling and giving lectures regarding Women’s Suffrage and abolishing slavery. Stone is also known as the first American woman to keep her original name after marrying. “I believe that the influence of woman will save the country before any other power.”

Ibtihaj Muhammad, Olympic Bronze Medalist

The first woman to wear a hijab while competing in the Olympics on behalf of the United States was Ibtihaj Muhammad. She earned a bronze medal for her sabre fencing at the Rio Olympics and is ranked 7th globally. 

Earlier in life, she joined the Peter Westbrook Foundation, a fencing program that helps develop life skills in underserved young people. This foundation was established by Asian American Peter Westbrook, whose mother insisted he begin fencing to keep him out of trouble and expose him to a different life. 

Muhammad serves as a sports ambassador on the U.S. Department of State’s Empowering Women and Girls Through Sport Initiative. She travels to various countries to speak about the importance of sports and education. She has written two books and established Louella, a clothing line that focuses on bringing modest, fashionable clothing to America. 

Claudette Colvin, Civil Rights Movement

Claudette Colvin was pregnant and sitting in the back of the bus, as African Americans were required to do so in 1955. When the bus filled up, she was asked to stand to give her seat up to a white person. She loudly refused and exclaimed that it was her “constitutional right” to occupy the seat. “History kept me stuck to my seat. I felt the hand of Harriet Tubman pushing down on one shoulder and Sojourner Truth pushing down on the other.” 

Colvin was handcuffed, arrested, and pulled out of the bus. Though this was not a planned action by Colvin, she was part of the Youth NAACP and had dreams of becoming the United States president one day. The NAACP decided it would premiere Rosa Parks as the face of its bus de-segregation campaign 5 months after the incident with Colvin. 

Colvin struggled being labeled a troublemaker in her community and moved from Montgomery to New York. She worked as a nurse’s aid in Manhattan for 34 years and raised her children, rarely telling her story to others. She was later honored for her lifetime commitment to public service with a Congressional Certificate and an American flag. 

Find out how you can become a mentor and influence the next generation of inspiring women by becoming a Big. 

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