be a big

BECOMING A BIG IS EASY

Join us as a defender of potential by becoming a mentor, or Big. All it takes is 4-8 hours a month with a focus on being consistent and spending one-to-one quality time with your mentee, or Little. The first step is to attend a Big Orientation & Training session, where you’ll learn about our programs, commitments, expectations, and the kids we serve. Let’s clear a path to a child’s biggest possible future.

BIG PROGRAMS

We understand that your time is valuable, so we’ve curated different ways to volunteer as a Big in your community. Find out which program fits your schedule:

COMMUNITY

This program allows you the opportunity to pick up your Little Brother or Little Sister at the child’s home and spend time engaged in activities you both enjoy. Outings can range from going for a walk, making arts and crafts, taking a bike ride or grabbing ice cream. Through our community partnerships, our agency provides free or reduced-priced tickets to our Bigs and Littles in the community. In the Community-Based program, volunteers spend at least eight hours with their Little each month, typically in the evenings or on the weekend.
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SITE-BASED

In this program, volunteers meet with their Little Brother or Little Sister one hour a week at a nearby school or after-school site. (Check with your employer; some businesses encourage staff to volunteer by offering to pay for volunteer time.)  We ask for volunteers to commit to at least 12 months in this program, but most stay in the program nearly twice that long!
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Are you a first responder or military?

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay is committed to ensuring its programs are inclusive to all youth and volunteers. Equality, diversity and inclusiveness are critical components of our mission. We encourage volunteers of all sexual orientations, races, colors, religions, genders, gender identities, gender expressions, ages, national origins, disabilities, marital status or military status to get involved and become a defender of potential in our community. Together, let’s clear a path to a child’s biggest possible future.

Start your Volunteer Application prior to a Big Orientation & Training!

Volunteer Application

STORIES OF IMPACT

Shandra & Ver’Shayin
Community Based
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Jimmie & Cedric
Community Based
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Jacqueline & Yemi
Community Based
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Big Perks

In order to take advantage of BIG PERKS, an array of discounts given our Bigs and Littles through corporate partnerships, you will need to bring your Match ID card with you and present it at the time of purchase. Discounts are subject to change and participation may vary.

Hillsborough County

4 Rivers Smoke House

14330 N. Dale Mabry & 623 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa
844-474-8377
Big Perk
Big purchases one meal and Little gets one meal FREE. Offer valid at both Tampa locations
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Hillsborough County

Astro Skate

750 W. Robertson St., Brandon
813-681-3635
Big Perk
Big pays full regular admission & Little gets FREE regular admission. This includes skate rental for the Little. Only available during these skate sessions: Saturdays 12:30PM-6PM & Sundays 1PM-5PM
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Hillsborough County

Dinosaur World

5145 Harvey Tew Rd., Plant City
813-717-9865
Big Perk
Big pays regular admission & Little receives FREE regular admission. This includes Fossil Dig for ages 3-12
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Hillsborough County

MOSI Museum of Science and Industry

4801 E. Fowler Avenue Tampa, Florida 33617
(813) 987-6000
Big Perk
Bigs pays for a ticket and Little gets in for only $4
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Hillsborough County

Pin Chasers Midtown

4847 N. Armenia Avenue, Tampa
813-750-0524
Big Perk
Big purchases one bowling game, Little gets one round FREE
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Hillsborough County

Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA

813-224-9622
Big Perk
FREE access to all Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA locations when you attend with your Little. You will have access to the swimming pools, water parks (at select locations), basketball courts, Kids Zone, Teen Center, wellness center, and more! An application can be obtained through your Match Support Specialist.
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Hillsborough County

TreeUmph

21805 E. State Road 70, Bradenton
941-322-2133
Big Perk
Buy one get one FREE access. Limit one per person. Call the office & mention you are with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay to setup the excursion.
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Hillsborough County

Yogurtology

1202 Church Ave, Tampa | Gandy Blvd, Tampa
Big Perk
When Matches visit any of the following locations with their Little and show their match ID card, they will receive a 10% discount: 1202 Church Ave, Tampa Gandy Blvd, Tampa 4th Street N, St Pete Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Archer Rd, Gainesville Carrollwood Citrus park
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Pinellas County

Airheads

12401 Belcher Road, Largo
727-953-7254
Big Perk
Big pays full for a regular attraction & Little gets a FREE regular attraction. One slice of pizza and one small soft drink $2.50/guest
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Pinellas County

Astro Skate

875 Cypress Street, Tarpon Springs
727-938-5778
Big Perk
Big pays full regular admission & Little gets FREE regular admission. This includes skate rental for the Little. Only available during these skate sessions: Saturdays 12:30PM-6PM & Sundays 1PM-5PM
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Pinellas County

Chicken Salad Chick: Seminole Store

7839 113th St. N Suite A. Seminole FL 33772
Big Perk
Bigs and Littles will receive 15% off total purchase when they present their Big Perk Card.
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Pinellas County

Chicken Salad Chick: St. Pete Store

1221 4th St. N, St. Petersburg FL 33701
Big Perk
Bigs and Littles will receive 15% off total purchase when they present their Big Perk Card.
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Pinellas County

Clearwater Community Sailing Center

1001 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater
727-517-7776
Big Perk
Tandem kayak rentals for only $10/hour
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Pinellas County

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

249 Windward Passage, Clearwater
727-441-1790
Big Perk
Big purchases admission at full price and their Little gets in FREE
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Pinellas County

Great Exploration Children’s Museum

1925 4th Street North, St. Petersburg
727-821-8992
Big Perk
FREE entry to the museum for Big & Little
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Pinellas County

Liberty Lanes

11401 Starkey Road, Largo
727-397-3947
Big Perk
Bigs & Littles enjoy 2 hours of bowling for only $9.00. This includes: lane rental, ball, and up to 4 pairs of shoes.
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Pinellas County

Subway

33338 US Hwy 19 N, Palm Harbor
Big Perk
Purchase one 6” sub & 21oz drink for Big and receive a FREE 6” sub for Little. Available at the location listed ONLY.
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Pinellas County

Subway

312 East Lake Rd., Palm Harbor
Big Perk
Purchase one 6” sub & 21oz drink for Big and receive a FREE 6” sub for Little. Available at the location listed ONLY.
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Pinellas County

Subway

2610 Bayshore Blvd., Dunedin
Big Perk
Purchase one 6” sub & 21oz drink for Big and receive a FREE 6” sub for Little. Available at the location listed ONLY.
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Pinellas County

Sunken Gardens

1825 4th Street North, St. Petersburg
727-551-3102
Big Perk
FREE entry for Big & Little
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Pinellas County

Sunshine Kitty Cafe

1669 1st Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Big Perk
Matches can visit Sunshine Kitty Cafe (Catfe) in St Pete and lounge around with coffee and cats! To book REQUIRED reservations, copy and paste the following link: www.bookeo.com/sunshinekitty | Use the code BBBSTB for $5 off your first visit!
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Pinellas County

The James Museum

150 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg FL 33701
727-892-4200
Big Perk
FREE admission for the Big and the Little to The James Museum during open hours. Big’s and Littles will also receive complimentary ice tea, hot tea or coffee in the Café’ that is on-site. Big’s will need to show their Big ID card to the ticket office to receive free entry.
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Pinellas County

The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art

150 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL
727-892-4200
Big Perk
Free admission for the Big and the Little to The James Museum during open hours. The Big needs to show their Big ID card to the ticket office. The James Museum has its roots in the deeply felt passion for art and culture shared by co-founders Tom and Mary James, and in the couple’s love for St. Petersburg, the city where they live. Years ago, when their travels took them out West, they were captivated by the art, landscape and wildlife. The art of action and attention to place created by contemporary artists greatly moved them, and they began buying pieces not only for their personal pleasure, but also to help the artists earn a living. These two dedicated patrons of the arts collected works in oil, in ink, in stone; works that define genres yet defy labels; works that evoke the spirit of a wide open frontier and the beauty of life in the wild. Since their first acquisition, a vast artistic legacy has grown — one populated by emerging artists and living legends and filled with tribal tradition and classical finesse. In building this splendid home for a part of their vast personal collection of Western and wildlife art, Tom and Mary also have succeeded in their aim to share their vision and devotion to art with you and thousands of others.
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Pinellas County

X-treme Fun Center

13211 93rd Street N, Largo
727-584-9876
Big Perk
Big pays full regular price for laser tag or batting cage tokens & Little gets FREE laser tag or batting cage tokens. One slice of pizza and one small soft drink $2.50/guest
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Pinellas County

YMCA of the Suncoast

727-467-9622
Big Perk
FREE access to all YMCA of the Suncoast locations when you attend with your Little. You will have access to the swimming pools, water parks (at select locations), Kids Zone, Teen Center, wellness center, and more! A member engagement form can be obtained through your Match Support Specialist.
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Pinellas County

Yogurtology

4th Street N, St Pete
Big Perk
When Matches visit any of the following locations with their Little and show their match ID card, they will receive a 10% discount: 1202 Church Ave, Tampa Gandy Blvd, Tampa 4th Street N, St Pete Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Archer Rd, Gainesville Carrollwood Citrus park
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Polk County

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales
863-676-1408
Big Perk
Bigs that reside in Polk County get free admission for themselves and their Little to visit the gardens through March 2022. In order to obtain free entry, Bigs must show a valid drivers license with a Polk County residence and BBBS Match ID card.
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Polk County

CiCi’s Pizza

4271 Florida Ave. S., Lakeland
863-644-4477
Big Perk
When Big buys a meal and drink the Little receives a FREE meal and drink.
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Polk County

Denny’s

Big Perk
Purchase one entrée for Big & Little under 10 years old will receive a free meal. Only available on Tuesday from 4PM-10PM .
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Polk County

Family Fun Center

4825 Florida Ave. S., Lakeland
863-644-1728
Big Perk
Buy one get one FREE on mini golf, laser tag, or Vault Assault laser maze. Discounts for Funtasia Play Area.
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Polk County

Palace Pizza

114 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland
863-688-0045
Big Perk
Bigs & Littles receive 10% off their meal.
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Polk County

Theatre Winter Haven

210 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven
863-294-7469
Big Perk
Buy one ticket for a Big and your Little gets in FREE. To redeem, simply select seats to a TWH event online and prior to checkout apply code: BBBS
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Polk County

YMCA of West Central Florida

863-644-3528
Big Perk
FREE access to any YMCA of West Central Florida location when you attend with your Little. You will have access to the swimming pools, racquetball courts, and wellness equipment (depending on the age of your little and upon completion of our youth certification class.) The guest waiver form can be obtained through your Match Support Specialist.
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Polk County

YMCA Par 3, Home of The First Tee of Lakeland

1740 George Jenkins Blvd., Lakeland
863-577-0236
Big Perk
FREE access when you attend with your Little. You will have access to the nine-hole golf course. The guest waiver form can be obtained through your Match Support Specialist.
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Citrus County

YMCA of the Suncoast

727-467-9622
Big Perk
FREE access to all YMCA of the Suncoast locations when you attend with your Little. You will have access to the swimming pools, water parks (at select locations), Kids Zone, Teen Center, wellness center, and more! A member engagement form can be obtained through your Match Support Specialist.
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Hernando County

Chicken Salad Chick: Brooksville Store

13659 Tundra Dr, Brooksville, FL 34613
Big Perk
Bigs and Littles will receive 15% off total purchase when they present their Big Perk Card.
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Hernando County

Padula’s Pizza Restaurant

14355 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill FL 34609
Big Perk
Matches will receive $3.00 off and pizza 14 inches or larger when they present their Big Perk Card.
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Hernando County

YMCA of the Suncoast

727-467-9622
Big Perk
FREE access to all YMCA of the Suncoast locations when you attend with your Little. You will have access to the swimming pools, water parks (at select locations), Kids Zone, Teen Center, wellness center, and more! A member engagement form can be obtained through your Match Support Specialist.
Visit Website
Pasco County

Chicken Salad Chick: Trinity Store

12096 FL-54, Odessa, FL 33556
Big Perk
Bigs and Littles will receive 15% off total purchase when they present their Big Perk Card.
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Pasco County

Florida Hospital Center Ice

3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Wesley Chapel
813-955-4840
Big Perk
Big pays for themselves and the Little receives free admission and skate rental
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Pasco County

North Corner Ranch

12508 Tyler Run Ave, Odessa
727-215-5485
Big Perk
Littles & Bigs can schedule a meet & greet with Storm the horse. Contact Anne Ridge at 727-215-5485 to schedule. The meet & greet can be customized for the Little's interests with grooming, stall cleaning, washing, riding demo, etc.
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Pasco County

Raprager Family Farm

16907 Boy Scout Rd, Odessa, FL 33556
813-922-2799
Big Perk
Raprager Family Farm provides a 35% discount code to Big & Little Matches. The Big must show their Match ID card at the time of entry to obtain a 35% discount to visit the farm. Discount is only good for admission.
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Pasco County

Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA

https://www.tampaymca.org/
813-224-9622
Big Perk
FREE access to all Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA locations when you attend with your Little. You will have access to the swimming pools, water parks (at select locations), basketball courts, Kids Zone, Teen Center, wellness center, and more! An application can be obtained through your Match Support Specialist.
Visit Website
Pasco County

YMCA of the Suncoast

727-467-9622
Big Perk
FREE access to all YMCA of the Suncoast locations when you attend with your Little. You will have access to the swimming pools, water parks (at select locations), Kids Zone, Teen Center, wellness center, and more! A member engagement form can be obtained through your Match Support Specialist.
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Sumter County

GatorWorld Parks of Florida

492 W. Highway 44, Wildwood
352-462-9500
Big Perk
FREE admission for Little when Big purchases regular adult admission
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Alachua County

Bouncy Kids Party Time (Oak Mall)

6419 Newberry Road Gainesville, FL 32605
Big Perk
Littles receive ½ off admission with the purchase of a full-price admission by a Big. Full-price admission prices are $11 for 30 minutes and $18 for 60 minutes. matches also receive a 50% discount off toys in the gift shop.
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Alachua County

Defy Trampoline Park – Gainesville Location

6250 NW 23rd St. Suite 8, Gainesville, FL 32653
Big Perk
Participants who visit Defy Trampoline Park (Gainesville location) will receive Free Jump admission for both Big and Little. Bigs & Littles will need to pay for their Defy Socks (special socks) needed to Jump on their initial visit. Those can be purchased at the venue.
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Alachua County

Gainesville Dojo

1947 N. Main St. Gainesville
(352) 378-3070
Big Perk
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Classes Two options for Littles to benefit from the partnership: • Big pays full tuition of $80/month and Little pays $20 per month (Regular tuition is $80/month) • If only Little signs up for classes, Little pays $50/month (Regular tuition is $80/month)
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Alachua County

Krispy Kreme

310 NW 13th Street, Gainesville, FL 32601
Big Perk
Bigs and Littles will receive one free Original Glazed donut each! Prior to your visit, please contact your Match Support Specialist to collect yoour “Official Citation” Coupon, which is required to redeem this Perk.
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Alachua County

Legacy Stylez Barber

3434 SW 24th Ave Suite B Gainesville Florida 32607
Big Perk
Both Bigs & Littles will receive 50% discount off their royal service when presenting their perks card.
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Alachua County

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo

3000 NW 83 St Building Z, Gainesville, FL 32606
Big Perk
Bigs and Littles can enter the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo at no cost by showing a copy of the BBBS Zoo membership card and their digital Big Perks card. Zoo Membership cards will be provided by BBBS Match Support Specialist upon request.
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No Perks Found in Marion