In The News

This holiday season, giving back is as easy as shopping where you already love to shop. From Macy’s and Nordstrom Rack to Crocs, HEYDUDE, and Dove products at Walmart, every purchase you make can help Big Brothers Big Sisters create more life-changing mentoring matches for youth across Tampa Bay and beyond.

Here are all the ways you can make an impact while you shop this year:

Macy’s – The Most Wonderful Stories Start Here 

From November 1 through December 24, Macy’s and Big Brothers Big Sisters are teaming up again to help make wonderful mentorship stories come to life. You can donate online or round up your in-store purchase at checkout to support BBBS youth mentoring programs.

Plus, 50% of the purchase price from select special gifts—designed by kids in BBBS programs—goes directly back to BBBS.

Your support helps empower youth to reach their full potential through the power of mentorship. Learn more: macys.com/purpose

Hashtags: #BeBig #BiggerTogether #MissionEveryOne

Nordstrom Rack – Sponsor-A-Moment Cards

Since 2019, Nordstrom Rack has raised nearly $4 million to help create meaningful mentorship moments nationwide. Now through December 31, you can make a BIG difference by purchasing a $10 Sponsor-A-Moment card in stores.

Every card helps fund mentoring opportunities that ignite the potential of youth across the country. Learn more: nordstromrack.com/bbbs

Hashtags: #BiggerTogether #BBBSxNordstromRack

Crocs + HEYDUDE – Step Up to Greatness

Crocs, Inc. and its brands, Crocs and HEYDUDE, are stepping up for mentorship this holiday season. From November 19 through December 31, you can donate in-store or online, and Crocs/HEYDUDE will match every donation up to $50,000!Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay had the special opportunity to take part in this national partnership through local store events that created unforgettable moments for our Bigs and Littles.

Over the course of three evenings, seven Big & Little matches visited Crocs and HEYDUDE store locations across Brandon, Tampa, and the surrounding area. Each store rolled out the red carpet with personal tours, goodie bags, food, and- much to our Littles’ delight- a brand-new pair of shoes.

Beyond the shoes, it was the kindness and hospitality from store staff that made the experience so memorable.

As one match shared: “Thank you so much for the generous gift and the warm hospitality. It was a fun and thoughtful gesture, and we appreciate the team members that made our visit extra special.” – Donesha & Le’Arie

We’re so grateful to Crocs x HEYDUDE and to the local store teams who made our matches feel seen, welcomed, and celebrated.

Hashtags: #BiggerTogether #BBBSxCrocs #BBBSxHEYDUDE

Dove + Walmart – Keep Her Confident

Did you know that 45% of girls drop out of sports due to low body confidence? That’s why Dove and Walmart have teamed up with BBBS to keep girls in the game through mentorship. Throughout 2025, when you shop Dove products (excluding Dove Men+Care) at Walmart stores or online, a portion of your purchase helps fund mentorship programs for young women and girls—building self-esteem, confidence, and community.

Learn more: dove.com/confidentsportsHashtags: #BBBSxDove #BBBSxWalmart #KeepHerConfident #BiggerTogether

Every Purchase Makes a Difference

Whether you’re shopping for gifts, self-care favorites, or a new pair of comfy shoes, your purchases this holiday season can help Big Brothers Big Sisters continue to ignite potential and create brighter futures for local youth.

Thank you for shopping with purpose, and making this season a little more meaningful.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay was honored to be featured live on Good Day Tampa Bay (FOX 13) in celebration of National Mentoring Day, a day that highlights the power of mentorship and the impact of relationships that help young people reach their full potential.

Joining the morning show were Carl and Calab, our 2025 Big and Little Brothers of the Year, along with Robyn Ostrem, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay and a former Big Sister.

The live discussion, hosted by the FOX 13 team, focused on how simple acts of connection can make a big difference. Robyn shared her perspective as both a former mentor and now CEO, emphasizing the urgent need for more volunteers, especially men, to step up for the more than 1,000 children currently waiting for a Big across the Tampa Bay area.

Carl and Calab shared their story as well, reflecting on how their match has grown over time and the many experiences they have shared, from community events to one-on-one time just hanging out. Their friendship embodies what mentorship is all about: consistency, connection, and growth.

“[Before Carl] I was shy and nervous,” Calab said. “I wouldn’t want to speak up if we went somewhere. He basically built my courage and built me out of that stage- helping me speak up and grow into who I am now.”

When asked what it is like to be a Big Brother, Carl said, “It’s one of the greatest experiences of my life.” 

As National Mentoring Day reminded viewers, there’s no better time to get involved. Whether you can give a few hours a month or volunteer for one of our special programs, your time can spark a lifetime of impact.

👉 Watch the full FOX 13 segment here: Watch Now
👉 Ready to become a Big? Visit bbbstampabay.org/be-a-big/ to sign up for an upcoming orientation and learn how easy it is to get started.

TAMPA, FLA. (March 3, 2025) — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay is honored to announce a generous $10,000 grant from Suncoast Credit Union. As a leading organization dedicated to mentoring and empowering youth, this grant will help expand and enhance mentoring programs to achieve the bold goal of serving 5,000 youth, making a significant impact on the lives of young people throughout the community.

The funding will be used to support one-to-one mentoring connections and impactful experiences for young people. By investing in mentorship and personal development Big Brothers/Big Sisters honors its mission to provide support, guidance, and opportunities for growth to youth who face various challenges, both personally and academically.

“We are grateful to Suncoast Credit Union for another year of support,” said Chris Letsos, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. “This funding will allow us to reach more youth, enhance our programs, and provide essential tools to help students achieve their goals and build a brighter future. We are proud of this relationship with Suncoast Credit Union as part of their legacy in uplifting education, health, and the well-being of our young people.”

Alignment with the community is essential for the success of mentoring programs and expanding services to a larger audience.

“We remain committed to supporting organizations that create meaningful, lasting change in the lives of youth within our communities” says Jeff Kunberger, Executive Director of the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation. “Big Brothers Big Sisters shares our vision of mentorship, empowerment, and creating opportunity. We believe connection and engagement can create meaningful relationships and we are pleased to contribute to the worthy cause of mentorship.”

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. More than 2500 children were served in 2024 through one-to-one match relationships and group mentoring experiences across a 9-county service area: Alachua, Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sumter. Amongst those served, 83% received free/reduced lunch, 72% lived with a single parent or other caregiver, and 79% of the youth were children of color. For more information, please visit us at www.GoBigtampabay.org

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Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the 8th largest in the United States based on membership, and the 10th largest in the United States based on its $18.4 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 81 full-service branches and serves more than 1.2 million members across Florida. As a community credit union, anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Suncoast Credit Union’s service area is eligible for membership. In 2021,

Suncoast Credit Union’s field of membership was expanded to include public K-12 teachers, college educators, and educational support staff from all of Florida’s 67 counties. Suncoast is passionate about community support. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $53 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education, and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit suncoast.com