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 serveannually across our nine-counties.
Our partners at the Tampa Bay Rays & Rowdiesare hosting their first-ever Running with the Rays Virtual 5K Race! Proceeds benefit the Rays Baseball Foundation and Rowdies Soccer Fund which supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay.
The Running with the Rays virtual 5K allows fans to run, jog or walk the 3.1 miles at their own pace and at the location of their choice anytime between September 1-30, 2020. Participants have the option to upload their race time to the Running with the Rays 5K Results Platform and share photos on social media using #Rays5K.
Participants may select one of two types of registrations: standard registration or premium registration. For $30, standard registration includes a commemorative finishers’ medal, race bib and downloadable finishers’ certificate. For $50, premium registration includes all the items in the standard registration plus a voucher for two (2) Lower Reserved tickets to a 2021 Rays regular season home game, subject to availability. Some exclusions apply. Fans who select premium registration will receive an email in March 2021 with information on how to redeem the ticket voucher. Race packets will be mailed within 7-10 days of registering, and include the commemorative Running with the Rays finisher medal and race bib.
The Rays Baseball Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of those in need within our community, focusing primarily on education, youth development, wellness and social responsibility.
—RAYS—
The Tampa Bay Rays mission is to energize the community through the magic of Rays baseball. The organization is committed
to building a strong community bond through meaningful interactions and charitable donations, and has proudly represented
Major League Baseball since 1998.
Support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay just by dining at any Columbia Restaurant in September.
Through its month-long 23rd annual Community Harvest program, the Columbia donates 5 percent of all diners’ checks to charities selected by the guests.
Over the last 22 years, the Columbia Restaurant’s Community Harvest has donated more than $2.6 million to non-profit organizations throughout Florida, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. 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. “With the devastating effect of the coronavirus on the economy and overall decline in charitable donations, it’s even more important this year.”
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 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay with gift certificates that can be used for up to 12 months. There’s no additional cost to the guest!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay is excited to partner with The Charity Branch for the month of August! 10% of their sales for the whole month will be donated to support our mentoring programs. Start shopping early to get 40% off your purchase through August 21st — no promo code required.
Everything has changed. Our everyday lives. Our work. And many people are struggling. We understand this is a tough time for everyone but we will get through this together.
BBBSTB is open for business with our staff working from home and our matches now meeting ‘virtually’ as we all practice safe, social-distancing guidelines. The kids we serve need mentoring support now more than ever, and we are asking you to make a BIG impact by joining us to “Defend their Potential.”
Please donate to help us earn our “Match Dollars for Big/Little Matches”!
The Rays and Rowdies Foundation has challenged us to raise $60,000 for our ‘virtual Bowl For Kids’ Sake’ during the month of May and the Rays and Rowdies Foundation will MATCH that through our partnership grant! It is MAY MATCH MADNESS!!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay is proud to have the Rays and Rowdies Baseball Foundation as long-time partners supporting our mentoring programs with their sponsorship of our annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake campaign. While we cannot host our bowling parties or attend a baseball game or soccer match right now, we can support BBBS and the Rays & Rowdies by making a donation to maximize our positive impact for kids facing adversity!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay celebrated their 21st Annual Defenders of Potential BIG Gala fundraiser at Hilton Tampa Downtown to raise funds and awareness for their mentoring programs in the local community, which serves over 3,000 children annually.
The agency embraced their new brand, Defenders of Potential, with an evening of superheroes and comic book fun. Guests browsed silent auction items while taking photos with Captain America, Wonder Woman, and Iron Man. The program began with a welcome for guests and appreciation for our Premiere and Big VIP sponsors with a special video featuring sponsors’ employees talking about which superpower they wish they had that could change the world. Then Big Sister of the Year and Big Brother of the Year were recognized for defending the potential of their Littles through mentoring. Board Chair, Kathy Wade of Fee & Jeffries, PA, addressed the crowd and thanked guests for their support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay and their mission to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
The program continued with a special appearance from Captain Pinnacle, a.k.a President and CEO Stephen Koch, who gave an update on the state of the agency, including that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay was given the Pinnacle Award, the highest honor from the national organization recognizing an increase in revenue and growth in overall number of Big and Little matches year-over-year for two or more consecutive years.
After dinner, Brian Auld, President of the Tampa Bay Rays, gave a heartfelt ask for guests to donate. Then everyone partook in an exciting live auction featuring a Stock the Bar Package from the BBBS Board of Directors, Custom Gourmet dinner in the Wine Room donated by The Tampa Club, Bass Fishing Experience with Darrell Davis, a Bermuda Vacation, and a Zulu Nyala Safari. After a fun evening of performances, auctions, a fabulous dinner, and inspiring program and successful Bid From the Heart, the evening ended with dancing to Total Entertainment by Matt Winter. The evening was closed by an after-party lounge sponsored by Sprinkles Cupcakes.
Thanks to all who attended the event and all the sponsors for making this amazing event a reality!
Want to help make an impact in the lives of children in the community? Donateto Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay today!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay is excited to be a part of the 22nd Annual Columbia Restaurant Community Harvest Program. Just select Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay on the form that is provided with your check.
Let your appetite do the giving while you support local non-profit groups in Florida by dining at any of the seven Columbia locations in Florida during the entire month of September for lunch or dinner during the 22nd Annual Columbia Restaurant Community Harvest program.
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. 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
“We started this program in 1998 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. “We thought the best way to do this was by letting our customers get involved in selecting the organizations. The process is simple. They just put a check mark next to one of the charitable organizations listed on a form we provide. They turn it in to their server. We do the rest, and donate 5 percent to the charity.”
Over the past 21 years, the Columbia Restaurant Community Harvest has donated more than $2.4 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 is now Florida’s oldest restaurant. Additional Columbia locations include St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, the Historic District in St. Augustine, Sand Key on Clearwater Beach, Central Florida’s town of Celebration, the Columbia Cafe on the Riverwalk in Tampa and the Columbia Restaurant Cafe at Tampa International Airport
All Columbia locations are owned and operated by 4th and 5th generation members of the founding family except for Columbia Restaurant Cafe at Tampa International Airport, which is operated in partnership with HMSHost. Follow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Please see www.ColumbiaRestaurant.com for more information
Many employers offer matching gifts for donations made to charities by their employees or for time spent volunteering. You can defend the potential of a child in our community by signing up with your employer to have matching funds donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay.
Ask your HR department if there are matching funds available for your volunteer hours and/or donations you have made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. The paperwork takes just a few minutes to complete (Sample list of companies that offer matching funds)
It’s that easy! Your time spent volunteering with or donations made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay can make twice the impact with these matching funds from your employer.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay aims to take 70 kids off their waiting list this summer and match them with mentors who will change their lives for the better, forever.
Kids in our community are standing still, waiting for a mentor. The End the Big Wait campaign aims to end that wait for 70 kids on Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay’s waiting list and match them with mentors who will defend their potential.
It costs about $1,500 to provide a child with a mentor through BBBS Tampa Bay for one year—covering background checks, fingerprinting, training volunteers, and ongoing support services that are the key to ensuring that each match between a Big and a Little will be successful.
The long-term success of these matches is in our numbers. In 2018:
97% of kids in our program went on to the next grade level
98% had zero involvement with the Department of Juvenile Justice
99% are less likely to be involved with drugs
70% maintained or improved their self-esteem
74% maintained or improved their educational aspirations
Your generous support now empowers kids in our community to realize their potential. Let’s make today the day we end the wait.
Join us for the 3rd annual G.O.A.T. Beer Fest at Brew Bus Brewing! Grab your friends and join us as we unveil a new limited edition G.O.A.T. beer. All proceeds from the event benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay’s School-to-Work program.
Purchase your tickets prior to the event and save 25%! Price increases at the door.
Ticket includes one pint at the event, 6-pack G.O.A.T. beer to go, 1 G.O.A.T. branded pint glass, access to pet a goat (a real one)!
Thank you to Florida Blue for their support of the 3rd Annual GOAT Beer Fest! Proceeds from the event benefitted our School-to-Work program, which is a three-way partnership between the local school districts, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, and corporate and community partners to provide one-on-one mentoring in the workplace for high school juniors and seniors to help improve graduation rates
