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March 2023

Bigs of the Year 2023

By In The News, Match Stories

Our Matches of the Year are chosen annually by our Program staff. After a thorough selection process, we are proud to announce:

BIG & LITTLE SISTERS OF THE YEAR

Big Sister Deen and Little Sister Ariyanah

Big Sister Deen and Little Sister Ariyanah have been matched for 3 years in the community-based program. They enjoy the simple things like sharing a meal, watching a movie, or completing a craft, just as long as they’re together they have a wonderful time. Ariyanah’s self-confidence has exploded since being matched with Deen. Once a quiet, yet friendly, little girl, Ariyanah is now an outspoken advocate for herself and others. Ariyanah is quick to help out at home and at school, setting the example for her younger siblings and peers. Ariyanah approaches others to strike up conversations and passes out compliments regularly. Her high emotional intelligence and increased self-confidence allow Ariyanah to spread even more positivity to those around her. Ariyanah’s mom, Anita, credits her blossoming sense of self to having a gentle and encouraging Big Sister like Deen. Ariyanah says Deen is a great person who helps her to be a great kid. Ariyanah is inspired by Deen’s travel stories and Deen encourages her to work hard and dream big so she can achieve her goals — one of Ariyanah’s current goals is to keep her status as one of the Top 5 students in her grade academically. Deen is truly changing Ariyanah’s self-perspective and outlook on life.

 

BIG & LITTLE BROTHERS OF THE YEAR

Big Brother Brian and Little Brother Angel

Big Brother Brian and Little Brother Angel have been matched since 2014. Over the course of their near-decade-long Match, they have experienced all sorts of activities together like boating, fishing, visiting SkyZone trampoline park, volunteering at Metropolitan ministries, and exploring new places to eat. The duo fully engages in all of the perks provided by the agency such as tickets to the Monster Jam monster truck rally, Bucs & Rowdies games, and of course Bowl For Kids Sake. Brian partnered with Angel’s mom, Maryli, in finding community resources available to them, like free dental care. Brian helped his Little Brother prepare his resume and hone his interview skills – resulting in Angel landing a position that he has held for three years now. Angel has taught Brian about his Mexican culture and how to celebrate and appreciate their diversity. Though he is a junior in high school – with responsibilities as a shift lead at his job – he still makes outings with his Big a priority; they intend to stay in touch forever. Angel is grateful for his Big and recommends every child have a chance to get a Big.

Bowl For Kids' Sake

Get the Ball Rolling For Your Fundraiser — Bowl For Kids’ Sake

By Fundraising Events

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay is proud to announce the start of our annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake. Each year, we get together with our supporters for a few rounds of bowling while raising money to support our youth mentoring programs.

How to participate in Bowl For Kids’ Sake

Getting on the lanes and supporting youth mentoring is as easy as one, two, three!

  1. Visit our Bowl For Kids’ Sake campaign page and register your team.
  2. Recruit your friends and start fundraising. Invites your friends, coworkers, sorority sisters, or fraternity brothers to join your team. Each person gets a fundraising page to help raise money for your team. 
  3. Celebrate your fundraising at a bowling party! You and your team will attend the bowling party at the date and location chosen when you registered your team. The party is the best part – not only do you get two bowling games, but you and your teammates also get T-shirts, pizza, and drinks, plus a chance to win raffles and auction prizes. 

Tips for Fundraising for your Bowl For Kids’ Sake Team

Now, it may sound like it’s all fun and games, but it is serious too. We are counting on the money we raise in this campaign to fund our mentoring programs that serve nearly thousands of children across nine counties. We need your help to make this a success. So once you’ve signed up, here are some tips to ensure you’ll be the most successful with your fundraising.

1. Share your personalized team link with your friends, family, coworkers, etc.

They won’t donate if you don’t ask them, so ask them! A quick text asking if they’d support your fundraiser is the best way to get a donation. Share the link on your social media and ask your followers to show their support for a cause that means a lot to you. 

2. Try a Facebook Fundraiser

Facebook has made it extremely easy to fundraise, and it doesn’t have to just be on your birthday. Be sure to include Bowl For Kids’ Sake in the title so we know it’s for your team. When the deposits come in, we’ll make sure they get added to your fundraising page to keep track of your overall goal. Not sure how to set up a Facebook fundraiser? Check out this video on our YouTube for step-by-step directions.

3. Add a Donation Sticker to your Instagram Story

Did you know you can also raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay on Instagram? It’s as simple as adding a Donation sticker to your Instagram story. Share why you want others to help you support our mentoring programs in a video or image, add the sticker, and change the title on the sticker to your Bowk For Kids’ Sake team name. Later offers a guide on how to use the donation sticker on Instagram stories.

4. Have a Bake Sale

Get in the kitchen and start baking! Maybe even bake some things to sell with your Little. You can sell them to your friends or neighbors or even find a location in front of a business that would allow you to set up a table. Be sure to get permission from a manager first. Get more ideas from hub’s How to Plan a Bake Sale

5. Host a Golf Tournament

Make it casual or competitive by getting friends together for a few rounds of golf. It could be as simple as asking your friends to donate to your team and setting a tee time. Or, if you are looking to take your tournament to the next level, Golf Digest offers an easy guide for hosting a successful golf tournament fundraiser

6. Plan a Garage Sale

Do you feel like it’s time for a spring cleaning? Why not sell those items collecting dust in your attic at a Garage Sale for Bowl For Kids’ Sake. Set up some tables in your front yard or get your neighbors or teammates together to combine your fundraising efforts. Amy’s Wandering blog shares their tips for planning a garage sale fundraiser

7. Organize a Bingo Night

Virtual bingo is a fun and safe way to socially distance while raising funds for your Bowl For Kids’ Sake team. Invite your friends or host bingo for your coworkers. Check out our guide to hosting a virtual bingo.

8. Ask your Employer to Sponsor a Lane

What would be a better team-building activity than bowling for a cause in your community? Speak to your Human Resources department or manager and ask if they would support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay’s Bowl For Kids’ Sake. Or, your employer may offer an employee-giving program that will match a donation you make.  

9. Get Creative!

There are countless ways to raise money for your Bowl For Kids’ Sake team. Get together with your teammates and brainstorm a list of fundraising ideas to ensure your team reaches its goal!

It’s time to get out there and get fundraising for your Bowl For Kids’ Sake team! Get started by registering your team on our Bowl For Kids’ Sake campaign page

 

March Match Activities

By Match Events, Resources
March is National Women’s History Month. Why do you think it’s important to celebrate this month? The National Women’s History Museum shares extensive exhibits on how women shatter glass ceilings, march for freedom, and so much more.
March 4 – April 2

To celebrate Youth Art Month, the Clearwater Arts Alliance, in partnership with Creative Pinellas, will display K-8th grade works of art from Pinellas County Schools. The opening reception is on Sunday, March 5, 2023, from 1:30-3pm. The exhibit is open March 4 – April 2. Address: The Gallery at Creative Pinellas, 12211 Walsingham Rd, Largo, FL 33778

Tue, Mar 7, 2 – 7 PM

The Glazer Children’s Museum – The first Tuesday of every month offers free admission for adults and children, courtesy of our partners at the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County. Downtown Tampa.

Now – November

The SunRunner transit bus system, which shuttles between downtown St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach, will remain fare-free for an additional six months. Read more about the SunRunner Bus here.

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