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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

 

BID NOW!

By Fundraising Events, In The News

BIDDING IS CLOSED! Thank you for your generosity! The Art of Helping Children’s silent auction is now live! Click here to view items and bid from the heart! We kindly recommend creating your user profile before making your selections. No need to be present to win! Happy bidding!

Vote BBBBSTB and Donate While Dining

By Fundraising Events, In The News

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay is excited to be a part of the 25th Annual Columbia Restaurant Community Harvest Program. Simply select Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay on the ballot that arrives with your check.

Through this program, The Columbia donates 5 percent of all guests’ September lunch and dinner checks to the charitable organizations chosen by their customers. Just select Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay on the form that is provided with your check, and the restaurant will set aside 5% of your total bill. The Columbia Community Harvest takes place in all of the Columbia locations including Ybor City in the historic district of Tampa, St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, St. Augustine, Sand Key on Clearwater Beach, Central Florida’s Town of Celebration, the Columbia Cafe on the Riverwalk in Downtown Tampa at the Tampa Bay History Center and the Columbia Restaurant Cafe at Tampa International Airport. All Columbia locations are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. For more information, see www.ColumbiaRestaurant.com

Over the past 21 years, the Columbia Restaurant Community Harvest has donated more than $2.5 million to non-profit organizations throughout Florida.

The original Columbia Restaurant was founded in Tampa’s Historic Ybor City in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr., and has now expanded throughout the area with the addition of Columbia locations at St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, the Historic District in St. Augustine, Sand Key on Clearwater Beach, Celebration in central Florida, and the Columbia Cafe on the Riverwalk in Tampa and the Columbia Restaurant Cafe at Tampa International Airport.

Follow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Please see www.ColumbiaRestaurant.com for more information

3 Ways To Give After #GivingTuesday

By Fundraising Events, In The News

You can support our one-to-one mentoring programs while shopping for Christmas and holiday gifts this year. We are proud to continue our partnerships with Nordstrom Rack & AmazonSmile, and excited to announce a new partnership with eSmart recycling. Here are three ways you can give back to your community and donate to a local charity.

Nordstrom Rack

Nordstrom Rack will donate 70% of their funds earned until December 31 to the BBBS agency in that store’s zip code. As a new option this year, online customers will also have the option to make a donation on the website. (Does not apply to mobile app purchases. Please use your web browser [Google Chrome or other] to make your purchases or head to your local Nordstrom Rack.)

AmazonSmile

Simply shop at smile.amazon.com or with AmazonSmile on in the Amazon Shopping app to give back on (most) of your everyday purchases. Choose Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay as your charity of choice and a portion from each purchase made is donated to us. When you shop at smile.amazon.com we receive 0.5% of eligible purchases at no extra cost to you! You can also browse our Amazon Charity Wishlist to donate an item and have it delivered directly to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay via Amazon.

eSmart Recycling

Planning on replacing your laptop, television, or iPad this holiday shopping season? Don’t toss your old tech — donate it to eSmart Recycling and help our organization keep kids connected with their mentors. When you contact them to schedule a pickup, be sure to mention it is on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. As one of our newest partners, eSmart Recycling has already donated 15 laptops to our mobile computer lab. Now, our Littles will be able to chat with their Bigs during lunch hours while at school.

Thank you in advance for believing in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay this holiday season and throughout the year. It truly takes a village to make impactful and lasting changes in our communities.

3 Ways to Support BBBS for #GivingTuesday

By Fundraising Events

#GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. It started as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Tuesday, November 30th is your chance to do good for our community. Join our mentoring movement and show your support for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay on #GivingTuesday!

Make a Donation

The Triad Foundation has agreed to match every individual donation received by our agency up to $50,000!

DONATE

Become a Big

Mentoring relationships protect against the harmful effects of stress and build resilience among children.

VOLUNTEER

Advocate

Use your voice and advocate for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. You will inspire others to give and create a wave of good.

– Follow us on social media & interact with our posts
– Start a Facebook fundraiser
– Post an #Unselfie video to share why supporting #BBBSTB matters to you!
– Use the Instagram donation sticker
– Share this post

24th Annual Columbia Community Harvest Gives Back to BBBS

By Fundraising Events

Support local non-profits just by dining at any Columbia Restaurant in September.

Through its month-long 24th annual Community Harvest program, Columbia donates 5 percent of all diners’ checks to charities selected by the guests, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay.

Over the last 23 years, the Columbia Restaurant’s Community Harvest has donated more than $2.6 million to non-profit organizations throughout Florida.

Community Harvest involves each of the Columbia locations, including Ybor City in the historic district of Tampa, St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, St. Augustine, Sand Key on Clearwater Beach, Central Florida’s town of Celebration, the Columbia Cafe on the Riverwalk in downtown Tampa at the Tampa Bay History Center and the Columbia Restaurant Cafe at Tampa International Airport.

All Columbia locations are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
For more information, see www.ColumbiaRestaurant.com

“We started this program as a way to help many of the worthy non-profit groups that are so important to our communities,” said 4th generation family member and president Richard Gonzmart.

The process is simple: Choose Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay on the ballot that’s provided with the check. The restaurant calculates the 5 percent and provides the charity with gift certificates that can be used for up to 12 months. There’s no additional cost to the guest.

The original Columbia Restaurant was founded in Tampa’s Historic Ybor City in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr., and is Florida’s oldest restaurant.

All Columbia locations are owned and operated by 4th and 5th generation members of the founding family, except for the Columbia Restaurant Cafe at Tampa International Airport, which is operated in partnership with HMSHost.

Bowl For Kids' Sake

Fundraising Tips for your Bowl For Kids’ Sake Team

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 2,000 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! I know we’re distancing a lot more now, but 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. 

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.  

7. 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

 

Over the Edge

Reaching New Heights at Over the Edge

By Fundraising Events, In The News

More than 50 people rappelled down the Hilton Downtown Tampa last Saturday at Over the Edge to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay’s youth mentoring programs.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Police Chief Brian Dugan, and Bay area team mascots were just a few of the 55 “Edgers” who rappelled for a good cause. Each Edger raised $1,500, which is the cost of supporting one Big & Little “match” for one year in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay’s programs.

“A lot of our kids need that special adult in their life,” says Stephen Koch, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. “When our kids have been matched for a year with our volunteer, we see their confidence level soaring, their grades improve.”

The need for volunteer mentors, or Bigs, has never been greater. Children in our community are facing increased stress and social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mentoring relationships protect against the harmful effects of stress and build resilience among children.

Funds raised from Over the Edge will take 65 kids off their waiting list of over 650 who want to have a Big Brother or Big Sister.

You can support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay by becoming a Big or donating today.

 

Thank you to our Over the Edge sponsors

Frenchy's Restaurants

Flowbird

SKANSKA

Wehr Constructors

3 Ways to Support BBBS for #GivingTuesday

By Fundraising Events

#GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. It started as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. December 1st is your chance to do good for our community. Join our mentoring movement and show your support for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay on #GivingTuesday!

Make a Donation

The Triad Foundation has agreed to match dollar-for-dollar every individual donation received by our agency up to $50,000!

DONATE

Become a Big

Mentoring relationships protect against the harmful effects of stress and build resilience among children.

VOLUNTEER

Advocate

Use your voice and advocate for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. You will inspire others to give and create a wave of good.

– Follow us on social media & interact with our posts
– Start a Facebook fundraiser
– Post an #Unselfie video to share why supporting #BBBSTB matters to you!
– Use the Instagram donation sticker
– Share this post

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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

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