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Jun 11
Love1

Top Bowl For Kids’ Sake Fundraisers Were Thanked with a VIP Bowl Featuring Special Guest Mallex Smith of the Tampa Bay Rays

By Fundraising Events, In The News

Each year, fundraisers who raise the most money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay get the chance to meet and greet with a Rays player at our annual VIP Bowl For Kids’ Sake event.

 

Bowl For Kids’ Sake is Big Brothers Big Sisters’ signature fundraiser, raising over $200,000 annually for children in need across Tampa Bay. Bowl For Kids’ Sake is a fun and easy way to positively impact a child’s life. Because of Bowl For Kids’ Sake, more Bigs and Littles can be paired up, more friendships can be created and improved outlooks on life can be started. Participants in this annual fundraiser recruit a team of people to help collect donations and fundraise for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, then celebrate their hard work fundraising at a bowling party!

Each year, top fundraisers for Bowl For Kids’ Sake are invited to a special VIP bowling event hosted by the Tampa Bay Rays at Pin Chasers Midtown as a way to show our appreciation for their dedication to fundraising for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. The VIP Rays event features bowling, pizza, raffle prizes, a silent auction, goodie bags, t-shirts, a signed baseball, and the chance to meet a Tampa Bay Rays player! This year, Mallex Smith, outfielder for the Rays, attended the event. After an introduction by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay CEO, Stephen Koch, Mallex greeted the crowd and thanked everyone for their amazing support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay! Each team got the opportunity to meet Mallex and have their picture taken with the Rays star. Everyone was so excited to be able to personally speak with Mallex as he took his time shaking the hands of each person in attendance and even bowled a few frames. The Tampa Bay Rays street team was there to give away prizes such as 20th Anniversary baseballs, t-shirts, cups, and stickers. There was even a special appearance by Raymond, the Tampa Bay Rays mascot!

The Rays VIP Bowl For Kids’ Sake event is one that all our fundraisers look forward to each year. They strive to be a top fundraiser to be a part of this special invitation only bowling event!

There is still time to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay by donating to the Tampa Bay Rays Bowl For Kids’ Sake fundraising page here.

View the full photo album from the event here.

View the slideshow video from the event here.

Jun 04
Love0

Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2018!

By Match Events

We celebrated our Littles that are graduating from high school with a ceremony at Sunken Gardens.

 

Bigs, Littles & their families celebrated the graduating class of 2018 this past week with a very special graduation ceremony at Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg, FL. This year, we had 85 Littles in our program who were graduating from high school with over 40 of the Littles in attendance at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay ceremony. Along with their Bigs and family, the event was a packed house with over 150 people there to show their support for our graduates.

The evening kicked off with a delicious spread of pasta, salad, and bread from Carrabba’s Italian Grill. As guests nibbled on their dinners, our guest speaker Bob Conigliaro of Caspers Corporation gave out words of wisdom for our graduates, reminding them that hard work and a positive attitude will lead to success. His words were so inspiring that many Bigs and family members said that they were also moved by his speech.

After the special guest speaker, Scholarship Committee member, Gerry Goldhammer, and our own Senior Vice President of Programs, Jennifer Libby, presented awards to the two Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay scholarship winners, Timia Fonville (Boca Ciega High School) and Kiara Stevens (Boca Ciega High School). Then our School-to-Work Coordinator, Dallas Ruffin, recognized our School-to-Work Scholarship winners who received their awards at our School-to-Work graduations earlier this month. Yonjer Suarez (A. P. Leto High School), Dalila Maceda (A. P. Leto High School), Sky Kinzinger (Clearwater High School), Jordan Curtiss (Clearwater High School), Tristan Trombley (Northeast High School), and Emily DaSilva (Northeast High School) were all recognized for their outstanding work and for being chosen as our School-to-Work scholarship recipients. Jennifer Libby also took the time to recognize Alexander Marcano (Clearwater High School), who was chosen to be one of only 20 Minor League Baseball Rising Star Students. Alexander was recognized at the Clearwater Thresher’s game on June 1st where he had the opportunity to throw the first pitch and was also awarded a scholarship.

Each graduate was called to the podium to be recognized for their achievements and receive a certificate from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay for graduating from high school and from our mentoring programs. They were each awarded a monogrammed pen and pencil set with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay logo, a token of remembrance for the special time spent with their Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

A special thank you to Caspers Corporation for sponsoring the event for the third year, Carrabba’s Italian Grill at Sunken Gardens for their generous dinner donation, and Winn-Dixie South Tampa for the beautiful cake.

View the photo album from the evening here.

Jun 01
Love1

OrangeTheory Fitness Hosts Facebook Check-in Fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay

By Fundraising Events

Check-in on Facebook at a participating OrangeTheory Fitness location and a donation is made to help provide mentors for at-risk youth in our community.

 

OrangeTheory Fitness has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay to make an impact for children in our community with a Facebook check-in fundraiser. It’s a simple way to make a BIG difference!

Anytime during the month of June 2018, check-in to a participating OrangeTheory Fitness location and they will donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. Each donation made will help Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay provide children facing adversity with professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships that will change their lives for the better, forever. This applies to all check-ins made from June 1 to June 30, 2018. The more check-ins are made, the more they will donate! Use the hashtag #OTF4BBBS to show your support.

Participating location:

Orangetheory Fitness Carrollwood
Orangetheory Fitness Channelside
Orangetheory Fitness Wesley Chapel
Orangetheory Fitness New Tampa
Orangetheory Fitness University Park

May 14
Love0

We Celebrated 50 Years of Serving Children in Pinellas County

By In The News

Since 1968, we have been pairing children in Pinellas with caring mentors that change their lives for the better, forever.

 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay celebrated our 50th anniversary in Pinellas County with a reception May 10 at the Feather Sound Country Club.  Since 1968, we have been providing children facing adversity in Pinellas County with professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships that changed their lives for the better, forever

Former CEO of BBBS Pinellas County, Susan Rolston, with her Little Brother, Morgan

A beautiful soiree began with mingling over drinks and hors-d’oeuvres while guitarist and former Little Brother, Corey McHugh, played classical guitar. During the reception, a historical tribute video was played to celebrate the individuals who made the past 50 years in Pinellas County possible, including Legacy Society donors, Henry & Gerry Goldhammer; former Big and Little, Frenchy & Jason; the first Executive Director of Big Sisters of Pinellas County, Susan Stanton; and founder of Big Sisters of Pinellas, Sweet Alice Young. Many former board members, Bigs, and Littles from back in the day were in attendance, making the event feel like a reunion. It was wonderful to hear stories from former Bigs and Littles about how their lives were transformed by being in the program. Former Chief Executive Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County, Susan Rolston, was honored at the reception. Susan had been CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County for over 13 years prior to the agency merging with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. A scholarship was dedicated in honor of Susan and her late husband, Jim, for their commitment to the program. Susan’s previous Little Brother, Morgan, even made a surprise visit.

The evening was closed with a champagne toast to all the hard work and dedication of those who have made the last 50 years possible! Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay looks forward continuing our mission in Pinellas county and know that many lives have been touched along the way.

 

View the photo album for the Pinellas 50th Anniversary Reception here.

May 03
Love1

We Celebrated the Graduating Class of 2018 with our School-to-Work Program

By Match Events, School-to-Work

Seniors with our School-to-Work mentoring program enjoyed graduation ceremonies as they leave Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay to pursue their futures.

 

This week, we celebrated the graduating class of 2018 with graduation ceremonies for the 45 Littles in our School-to-Work mentoring programs. The School-to-Work program is a three-way partnership between the local school districts, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay and our corporate and community partners to provide one-on-one mentoring in the workplace for high school juniors and seniors to help improve graduation rates. The students (Littles) visit the workplace of the employees (Bigs) one morning each month during the school year for about four hours. They spend the first hour learning post-graduation skills, then spend one-on-one time with their corporate Bigs through lunch before returning to school.

Littles from our school partners — Northeast High, Clearwater High, and Leto High — met with their Bigs at USAmeriBank, St. Pete-Clearwater Airport, and Nielsen for their final visits of the school year to celebrate their growth and success in our School-to-Work program. At each graduation ceremony, keynote speakers such as the Mayor of Oldsmar, Doug Bevis, and Pinellas County Administrator, Mark S. Woodard, were invited to talk to the Littles about their futures, inspiring the students with words of wisdom and well-wishes. At each graduation, two graduating seniors were awarded scholarships based on essays they had written about their futures and how the School-to-Work program has positively impacted their lives.

The graduations were full of joy and excitement as the Bigs & Littles looked back over the past two years in the School-to-Work program. The seniors who will be leaving the program were enthusiastic about their futures, many attending college and hoping to one day fulfill their career paths. Some of the seniors even hope to return to their School-to-Work sites to work after they finish school.

Best of luck to the graduating class of the 2018 School-to-Work program!

 

View the photo album for the Northeast High & USAmeriBank graduation ceremony here.

View the photo album for the Clearwater High & St.Pete-Clearwater Airport graduation ceremony here.

View the photo album for the Leto High & Nielsen graduation ceremony here.

Apr 17
Love1

Donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay on Give Day, May 1st

By Fundraising Events

Give Day Tampa Bay is an annual 24-hour online giving challenge that calls for residents of the greater Tampa Bay area to donate to their favorite local charity on May 1st.

 

Give Day Tampa Bay is an annual 24-hour giving challenge presented by the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay. Give Day returns for its fifth year on May 1st, 2018 and is a wonderful opportunity to support local causes in the greater Tampa Bay area, building stronger communities and ultimately making the neighborhood where you live, work and play a better place. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay will be participating in this annual giving challenge and we want you to show your support!

Last year, over 500 local charities participated in Give Day. With so many wonderful nonprofits to choose from, know that your donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay has a life-long impact on the lives of children in our community. Each dollar raised provides children with strong, enduring, professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. During Give Day 2017 we raised over $18,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. We are challenging our supporters to raise even more in 2018!

Give Day comes around once a year and although Give Day is on May 1st, you can make your donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay as early as April 17th. It doesn’t matter how much you give, donations start as little as $5! So what are you waiting for? Make your donation today!

Donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay for Give Day here.

Apr 11
Love1

Buccaneers Player Lavonte David Supports Annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake

By Fundraising Events

Bowlers who came out to Pin Chasers Midtown on April 8th to support Bowl For Kids’ Sake got the chance to meet the Buccaneers player.

 

Bowl For Kids’ Sake is Big Brothers Big Sisters’ signature fundraiser, raising over $200,000 annually for children in need across Tampa Bay. It’s a fun and easy way to positively impact a child’s life. Because of Bowl For Kids’ Sake, more Bigs and Littles can be paired up, more friendships can be created, and improved outlooks on life can be started.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Lavonte David came out on Sunday, April 8th to Pin Chasers Midtown to show his support for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay’s Bowl For Kids’ Sake. Fundraisers got the chance to meet the player and get their photos taken with the linebacker. Lavonte David even took the time to bowl a few frames while speaking about the importance of supporting the one-to-one mentoring relationships that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay provides children in our community.

During the event, Lavonte David was presented with a thank you gift from our Matches for providing tickets to every Buccaneers home game during the 2017-2018 football season. Lavonte also went Live on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay’s Facebook page calling for others to support our mission of providing children facing adversity with strong, enduring one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

Thank you to Lavonte David and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for being such great supporters of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay!

Many bowlers donated $54 (or more!) to this important fundraising campaign in honor of their favorite Buccaneer, #54 Lavonte David. It’s not too late to help make a BIG impact – donate now at www.bbbstampabay.org/bowl

View Lavonte David’s Facebook Live video here.

View all of the photos from the April 8th Bowl For Kids’ Sake event here.

Mar 12
Love0

AmazonSmile Tripling Donations on First Eligible Purchase during March

By In The News

When you shop through AmazonSmile a portion of your purchase can be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay

 

Did you know that you can donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay while you shop with AmazonSmile? If you are not aware, then the month of March is the perfect time to make your first purchase! From March 12-31, 2018, Amazon’s donation platform, AmazonSmile, will TRIPLE donations to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay on your first eligible purchase.

For your purchase to qualify for the donation, you must select Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay as your preferred non-profit when you visit smile.amazon.com. Look for “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on the product details pages of eligible products. AmazonSmile is only available on desktop or mobile browser. AmazonSmile is currently not available through the Amazon app.

Now is your opportunity to triple your impact! Start shopping with AmazonSmile today and give back to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay at smile.amazon.com/ch/59-2173085

Mar 11
Love0

Partnership with the Glazer Children’s Museum Offers Free Entry

By Match Events

Glazer Children’s Museum is excited to continue free entry to our Matches for the month of March.

 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay and Glazer Children’s Museum are excited to announce that the museum is offering free entry to our Matches for the month of March! Starting on March 11, 2018, Bigs & Littles that are interested in visiting the Glazer Children’s Museum may do so for free by showing their Match ID card at the Guest Services counter. This offer will last through March 31, 2018.

Glazer Children’s Museum, founded in 1986 and located in Downtown Tampa, is a “learning laboratory” where children are encouraged to learn through play. The museum features exhibits such as fort building, Lego engineering, art exploration, imaginative play and much more. During the month of March, Glazer Children’s Museum hosts their “Math + Music” exhibit featuring drum circles, musical performances and math challenges.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay’s matches won’t want to miss this opportunity to explore, play and learn for free at the Glazer Children’s Museum.

Learn more about the museum at their website, https://glazermuseum.org/

Feb 19
Love1

Join us for Bowl For Kids’ Sake!

By Fundraising Events

Bowl for Kids’ Sake is Big Brothers Big Sisters largest national fundraiser, raising over $20 million annually for children in need across the country. 

 

Bowl for Kids’ Sake is a fun and easy way to positively impact a child’s life. Because of Bowl for Kids’ Sake, more Bigs and Littles can be paired up, more friendships can be created and improved outlooks on life can be started. Just follow the simple steps below:

1) Start a team – Teams are formed with five or six members. Consider creating a team with family, friends, fraternity brothers, sorority sisters, or co-workers. Register your team and see the available bowling dates and locations at www.bbbstampabay.org/bowl

2) Start securing sponsorship  – Most bowlers raise about $170, but many people raise over $1,000. What impact do you want to have? The best part is that all of the event expenses are underwritten by our corporate sponsors. That means 100% of the money raised by bowlers goes directly towards supporting children served by Big Brothers Big Sisters in your community.

3) Start bowling  – After you have secured your sponsorships, it’s time to have fun! You’ll receive two free games of bowling (shoe and ball rental included!), a Bowl for Kids’ Sake t-shirt, food, drinks, chances to win door prizes!

So what are you waiting for? Start your team today! Partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters through Bowl for Kids’ Sake makes a positive, long-lasting impact on children in your community. Our mentoring works. It works to help broaden children’s perspectives and help them learn how to make good choices. It starts a child on the path to fulfilling their potential and succeeding in school and life.

For questions contact Josh Hagg 813-769-3614 or JoshH@BBBSTampaBay.org.

Register your team today at www.bbbstampabay.org/bowl

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