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Fifth Third Bank Giving Tree Toy Drive

Fifth Third Bank Toy Drive for BBBS

By In The News

Fifth Third Bank is partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay for its annual Giving Tree Toy Drive campaign. The Giving Tree Toy Drive program will begin on November 2, 2020, and end on November 30, 2020.

Each Fifth Third financial center will host a “Giving Tree” decorated with gift tags that list the gender and age that pertains to the need of a child in the community, as well as a list of suggested gift ideas. You visit any Fifth Third Bank financial center in Pinellas County (and select locations in Hillsborough County) during November to pick up your gift tag and a list of age-appropriate gift ideas.

“Fifth Third Bank is proud to support Big Brothers Big Sisters Annual Giving Tree Toy Drive program during November,” said John Slavik, SVP, Retail Executive for Fifth Third Bank. “By allowing our financial centers to host a Giving Tree, we hope to create awareness around supporting those families in need during this holiday season.”

“Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them and who understands the power of connection,” said Stephen Koch, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. “Our Fifth Third Bank partner is a champion and a connector for children throughout our service area.”

Your donation of a gift or gift card will help make a difference and ensure a brighter holiday season for the underserved youth in our community. All donations can be dropped off at one of the 17 Fifth Third Bank locations in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties that are participating in the project.

 


 

Thank you Fifth Third Bank for hosting their annual “Giving Tree Toy Drive” for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay!

 

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay is part of the nation’s largest donor and volunteer-supported mentoring network and holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes, such as educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity – often of a single or low-income household or families where a parent is incarcerated or serving in the military – with strong and enduring, professionally-supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that defend the potential that exists in every child. In 2019, more than 2,800 children were served in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Citrus, Hernando, Alachua, and Sumter counties. For more information please visit www.bbbstampabay.org.

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio and the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank, National Association, a federally chartered institution. As of September 30, 2020, Fifth Third had $202 billion in assets and operated 1,122 full-service banking centers and 2,414 ATMs with Fifth Third branding in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. In total, Fifth Third provides its customers with access to approximately 52,000 fee-free ATMs across the United States. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending and Wealth & Asset Management. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of September 30, 2020, had $422 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $53 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations through its Trust and Registered Investment Advisory businesses. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Fifth Third Bank was established in 1858. Deposit and Credit products are offered by Fifth Third Bank. Member FDIC.

Match Story: Braden, Susan & Charlie

By Match Stories

Little Brother Braden was nine years old when he started the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. His grandmother, Patrice, was adamant she wanted Braden matched with a “younger Big Brother.” Despite the age difference, their Match Support Specialist Linda had an older Big Couple in mind: Susan & Charlie.

At the match introduction meeting, Braden quickly pointed out, “you guys are so old!” Susan & Charlie handled Braden’s comment so well that his grandmother Patrice was open to the match. Now, Braden has been matched with his Big Couple in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program for over two years!

And COVID has not slowed them for one second. Susan & Charlie email Braden every morning. Once per week, Susan, Charlie, and Braden have a ZOOM hour where they play bingo, trivia, chess, scavenger hunts, and games they create, alternating who picks the activity. Susan & Charlie are quite active; Braden often struggles to keep up with them! Before the pandemic, they would go fishing and hiking. They’ve enjoyed new experiences like escape rooms or visiting patients in a nursing home. They are often seen at Big Brothers Big Sisters events. Plus, Susan & Charlie never miss an awards ceremony at Branden’s school and are always there to cheer him on!

One of Braden’s goals was to understand empathy better, as he struggled to keep friends. He would sometimes make harsh comments that would hurt his friend’s feelings. Susan & Charlie knew Braden had the potential to overcome this obstacle. Braden is learning to think before speaking and when to apologize if he says something hurtful to others. With Susan & Charlie’s help, Braden is reaching his full potential and is learning to be a good friend.

Become a defender of potential and ignite the power and promise of youth in our community.

Support BBBS with a Specialty License Plate

By In The News

There are thousands of children across Florida in need of a mentor. But being a volunteer mentor and role model is only one of the ways to support Big Brothers Big Sisters.

You can also purchase one of our license plates at your local tax collector’s office. For each plate sold, Big Brothers Big Sisters receives $25 to help kids across Florida develop a firm foundation for a Big Life.

Already have your BBBS specialty plate? Show us how you are #Driving4Potential by sharing a photo on social media!

Big Brothers Big Sisters x Lids

By In The News

From Oct 1, 2020 – Sept 30, 2021, Lids is partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters to carry limed-edition, custom embroidery headwear to support mentors for kids that are in need of supportive adult relationships. 

Customers can visit any Lids store with a Custom Lids and choose from approved designs to be embroidered on all headwear, including blank, branded, or team caps. $7 of the purchase per embroidered BBBS hat will go directly to the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission. 

The designs’ proceeds will help recruit Bigs (mentors) and provide on-going support and training to ensure a successful Big/Little relationship.

What a wonderful way to increase awareness about our mentoring program by partnering with Lids,” said Pam Iorio, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. “We know our Littles need additional support during these challenging times, and we appreciate the opportunity to work with corporate partners, like Lids, who can share the message, that mentoring has not stopped, and more volunteers are needed to keep kids connected.

Visit a store below to get your custom BBBS Lids headwear!

 

Westfield Brandon Brandon FL 33511
Westfield Countryside Clearwater FL 33761
The Oaks Mall Gainesville FL 32605
Lakeland Square Mall Lakeland FL 33809
Tampa Premium Outlets Lutz FL 33559
Johns Pass Village Madeira Beach FL 33708
Paddock Mall Ocala FL 34474
Tyrone Square St. Petersburg FL 33710
University Mall Tampa FL 33612
Citrus Park Town Center Tampa FL 33625
Westshore Plaza Tampa FL 33609

Make an Impact with the CARES Act

By In The News

You may have read about the CARES Act, which provides financial support to businesses and families impacted by COVID-19. The CARES Act has a provision for donors like you, who want to know how they can help during these unpredictable times.

Our need for services has grown as the children and families served by Big Brothers Big Sisters face increased anxiety and stress due to the pandemic. Your investment in one-to-one mentoring relationships is more critical than ever to help build resilience among youth in our community.

Here’s what the CARES Act $300 ‘nonitemizer’ deduction for 2020 means for you: 

  • It went into full effect beginning Friday, March 27, and will apply to donations made for all of 2020.
  • This applies to you if you do not itemize your taxes.
  • If you do itemize your taxes, you are eligible for a charitable deduction at 100% of your adjusted gross income.
  • This only applies to cash donations (not in-kind contributions)
  • This does not apply to Donor Advised Funds

Please consider making a much-needed donation of $300 (or more) today. You can easily donate online or mail a check to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, 4630 Woodland Corporate Boulevard #160 Tampa, FL 33614

A Successful VIRTUAL Art of Helping Children Gala

By Fundraising Events

Thank you to everyone who joined us in making our 22nd Annual Art of Helping Children Gala and first VIRTUAL Gala a success! With your generous support, we raised close to $400,000 to ignite the power and promise of youth through one-to-one mentoring relationships!

We are not yet at our goal! Become a defender of potential and help us raise the critical dollars needed to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth for the 3,000 children we serve annually across our nine-counties.

#BigGala2020 Highlights

Thank you to our Sponsors

Little Sister & Big Sister

Hispanic Heritage Month

By Match Events

September 15 – October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month, which celebrates the heritage, culture, and contributions of the Hispanic and Latinx communities across the United States.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrate this time with your Little! Whether you plan on sharing your heritage with your Little, learning more about theirs, or exploring different customs together, we hope these activity suggestions will inspire you to honor the month and get curious together!

 

MOVIES TO WATCH

Ferdinand

Coco

Pachamama

El Libro de la Vida

 

EASY RECIPES TO MAKE TOGETHER

Traditional Latin American Recipes to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month: 5 Countries, 5 Dishes, 1 Kitchen

 

BOOKS TO READ:

Ages 7-8

The Secret Footprints by Julie Alvarez | A reimagining of the Dominican legend of the ciguapas.

Ages 7-10

Max Loves Muñecas –Zette Elliot | A young boy who is embarrassed to love the boutique selling dolls meets a muneca maker who teaches him “There is no shame in making something beautiful with your hands. Sewing is a skill just like hitting a baseball or fixing a car.”

Ages 8-12

Gaby Lost and Found – Angela Cervantes | Gaby Ramirez Howard loves volunteering at the local animal shelter, but has been feeling like a stray herself lately. Her mother has recently been deported to Honduras, and Gaby has to live with her inattentive father. She is waiting for her mother to come home so the family can adopt Gaby’s favorite cat from the shelter. When the cat’s original owners show up at the shelter, Gaby worries that her plans for a perfect family are about to fall apart.

Young Adult

It’s Not about the Accent – Caridad Ferrer | Caroline Darcy decides to explore–and exploit–her distant Cuban ancestry when she goes away to college, claiming to be half-Cuban, calling herself “Carolina,” and dying her blond hair Havana Brown, but soon faces profound consequences.

Celebrate the Power of Mentoring during BBBS Month

By In The News

This September, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay is celebrating Big Brothers Big Sisters Month to recognizes the critical importance of mentoring.

Most children and families served by Big Brothers Big Sisters are facing increased anxiety and stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mentoring relationships protect against the harmful effects of stress and build resilience among children. In response, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay has completely reoriented our programming to virtually facilitate these life-changing relationships.

Together, we can ignite the power and promise of youth across our community because we are #BiggerTogether. Join us to celebrate Big Brothers Big Sisters Month by sharing the message of what it means to be #BiggerTogether on social media with #BBBSMonth.

Volunteer or donate to support mentoring for young people.

Five Littles Attended Clearwater Marine Aquarium Camp Thanks to Ron Jon Surf Shop

By Match Events

Through the generosity of the Ron Jon Surf Shop, five children from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay attended a week of full-day camp sessions this July at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The total value for all five campers was $2,500. Many of the selected campers had a previous affinity for the marine world. Watching their excitement throughout the camp was indeed a delight for Clearwater Marine Aquarium staff members. Additionally, as the children had spent the preceding months in quarantine, their experiences out in nature were amplified. 

Each morning, the campers attended the Ocean Warriors camp session, which focuses on habitat loss, plastic pollution, microplastics, overfishing, and bycatch. In the afternoon, the campers attended EcoExplorers, focused on fostering a love of the outdoors in children and instructing campers about the natural world. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus, the off-campus field trips initially scheduled for the week were canceled. Still, the campers had a wonderful time exploring the Aquarium, Clearwater Bay, and the surrounding waterways. Littles received a “gear pack”, including a Clearwater Marine Aquarium bag and beach towel, mask/snorkel, eco-friendly sunscreen, sunglasses, and of course, a Ron Jon water bottle! The children also received a camp t-shirt and free lunch each day. 

 

Campers

Little Brother: Nigel 

Little Brother Nigel is 11 years old and will be attending fifth grade this coming school year. Nigel has lived with his grandmother for over three years. He enjoys animals, nature, being outdoors, playing football, and Tai Kwon Do. 

Over the past few months, Nigel’s activities have significantly curtailed due to COVID-19. He has been mainly staying at home and unable to see his Big Couple, which has left him very disappointed. His grandmother was thrilled about this opportunity to attend camp as it would allow him to spend time outdoors learning how to help the environment. Nigel lives in Clearwater, making it convenient for his grandmother to bring him to and from the Clearwater camp. 

At the beginning of the camp, Nigel was slightly overwhelmed by all the information he was learning! Toward the middle of the week, he began to soak everything in and truly began learning. Nigel is a tactile learner who prefers to examine specimens with his hands and collect materials from the natural environment. 

 

Little Sister: Jillayah

Jillayah is in fourth grade. Her mom thought the summer camp was an incredible opportunity for Jill because, since COVID-19, she had been despondent, missing going to school and spending time with other kids. It was also a fantastic reward since Jill did well academically last semester despite the many challenges with virtual schooling. 

Jill’s Big Sister is an Environmental Scientist, so Jill’s experiences at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium summer camp will help Jill understand her Big Sister’s occupation and increase their connection. We hope this will provide various topics and conversations for the two to share during their monthly video chat session. 

Jill’s transformation over the week was truly remarkable. On the first day of the camp, Jill was slightly apprehensive and incredibly nervous about kayaking. By the third day, she was kayaking at an expert level and displayed real leadership qualities, acting as a support system for her peers when necessary. Kayaking became her favorite activity at the camp. 

 

Little Brother: Jordan 

Jordan, a fourth-grader, had his recent activities curtailed due to COVID-19 with no plans scheduled for the summer. The camp was a welcome invitation for him as he is an extremely active child and always looking for adventure. 

Throughout the camp, Jordan adored being outside, and snorkeling was his favorite activity. He was a very inclusive group member, always sharing what he found when exploring with the other campers. Jordan would also bring in books from home related to topics they were learning at camp to show the other children. During an exercise to design a sustainable seafood menu, Jordan expressed his desire to serve shark at his fictional restaurant. Camp counselors educated him on the error in that decision, but it took some convincing! 

 

Little Sister: Aniya 

Aniya, a fifth-grader, has a real passion for aquatic life and was selected for the camp because she was interested in learning more about how to conserve the marine world. Like the rest of the campers, she was without any plans for the summer. She was very excited to participate in a camp that resonated so profoundly with her interests. 

Out of all the campers, Aniya was the most focused and had a genuine thirst for knowledge about the marine world. If the group became sidetracked, she was the one to bring us back to the center. She was genuinely fearless, whether that meant being the first to ask questions in the group or dive down and investigate while snorkeling. Kayaking was one of her favorite activities, but she also enjoying filtering water for microplastics.

 

Little Sister: Emma 

Emma is a very kind, friendly child with a deep affinity for animals. She is also a gifted student who takes a hands-on approach when learning new things. Learning about the interconnectivity of processes, such as ecosystems and the food chain, and how to better care for our environment – are areas that Emma likes to explore. Emma has also recently developed an interest in learning to snorkel. All of these interests made her a perfect candidate for the camp! 

While Emma was on the quiet side, she soaked everything in and asked incredibly insightful questions. When asked a question, Emma would provide the most detail of all the campers, illustrating that our lessons were indeed impacting her. Emma loved the aquaponics lesson and asked perceptive questions during the tour of the aquaponics exhibit. 

#WellnessWednesday Mindfulness

By Match Events

The final aspect of overall wellness we will look into this month is your mindset. So far, we have covered nutrition, sleep, and activity, all essential parts of overall wellness. Some will focus on these three, but we should not overlook mental wellness. How you feel mentally can affect your body and overall health in significant ways. HelpGuide describes some of the science behind the benefits of mindfulness. A healthy mind creates various mental and physical health benefits, leading to better overall well-being. 

There are several different activities to do to improve your mindset. On the website Mindful, you will find five ways to improve your mindset that incorporates the other three aspects we have covered in previous weeks. After doing these exercises, you will notice the difference in how you think daily. Improving your mindset will make the other three aspects more natural to incorporate into your everyday life. Try this out with your little this week and see the difference in how your week goes!

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