In The News

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, along with HPC Associates and 22Squared, earned awards this year for PSAs and ads created to bring awareness to the nonprofit agency.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay collaborated with HPC Associates and 22Squared to create public service announcements and ads that would bring awareness, funds and volunteers to the organization. Thanks to their collaborative efforts, the agency won awards for these fun and unique videos.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay and HPC Associates were named the winners of the Award of Distinction at the 22^nd Annual Videographer Awards for producing a public service announcement (PSA) regarding the new Big Brothers Big Sisters’ statewide vanity license plate. The Award of Distinction is awarded for projects that exceed industry standard with approximately 16 percent of entries receiving the award.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Claire Selius said, “The PSA takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to being a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay (BBBS) and was created in collaboration with HCP Associates to bring awareness to our statewide specialty license plate program.” For each license plate that is sold, Big Brothers Big Sisters receives $25 to help kids across Florida.

You can view the PSA here.

Earlier this year, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay and the ad agency 22Squared won the Positive Change Bronze Effie for their work on the Florida Man Project. The ads aimed at recruiting much needed male mentors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay by using click-bait style headlines featuring the wacky “Florida Man” that has become synonymous with weird news from the state.

The ads took the Florida Man concept and made it into a positive, featuring videos of Florida men who are making an impact in the community by being a mentor. The videos encourage other Florida men to make Florida proud by becoming a Big Brother. The ads successfully increased the number of applications for male volunteers.

You can learn more about this advertising method with a short video here.

View all the ads from the Florida Man project here.

Jessica & Angie threw the first pitch and accepted a grant on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay at the Tampa Bay Rays game on Friday, June 29^th, 2018.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay was once again invited to attend the Tampa Bay Rays’ “Rays Up Night”. The annual “Rays Up Night” is an evening where the Tampa Bays Rays highlight the amazing work they are doing in our community as part of the Rays Community Foundation.

Prior to the start of the game, Tampa Bay Rays’ President, Brian Auld, presented Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay with a $50,000 grant to support our mission, which is to provide children facing adversity with professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships that will change their lives for the better, forever. As part of the Tampa Bay Rays partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, Rays employees volunteer at the nearby Campbell Park Elementary School as Big Brothers and Big Sisters, bringing their Littles to Rays games throughout the season.

After the grant presentation, Big Sister & Little Sister of the Year, Jessica and Angie, went out to the field to throw the first pitch prior to the start of the game. Jessica and Angie then had the opportunity to head up to the media booth for an interview with Steve Carney of the WDAE 620 AM radio station, the flagship station for the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team.

Jessica and Angie later joined a few of our Matches and Board Members in a special suite to enjoy the game with refreshment catered by the Tampa Bay Rays. During the 7^th inning, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay suite was featured on the jumbotron and everyone sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay is proud to be a partner of the Tampa Bay Rays and the Rays Community Foundation! Thanks to their support, we will be able to pair more children in our community with caring mentors that will positively impact their lives.

View the photo album from “Rays Up Night” here.

Since 1968, we have been pairing children in Pinellas with caring mentors that change their lives for the better, forever.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay celebrated our 50^th anniversary in Pinellas County with a reception May 10 at the Feather Sound Country Club.  Since 1968, we have been providing children facing adversity in Pinellas County with professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships that changed their lives for the better, forever

Former CEO of BBBS Pinellas County, Susan Rolston, with her Little Brother, Morgan

A beautiful soiree began with mingling over drinks and hors-d’oeuvres while guitarist and former Little Brother, Corey McHugh, played classical guitar. During the reception, a historical tribute video was played to celebrate the individuals who made the past 50 years in Pinellas County possible, including Legacy Society donors, Henry & Gerry Goldhammer; former Big and Little, Frenchy & Jason; the first Executive Director of Big Sisters of Pinellas County, Susan Stanton; and founder of Big Sisters of Pinellas, Sweet Alice Young. Many former board members, Bigs, and Littles from back in the day were in attendance, making the event feel like a reunion. It was wonderful to hear stories from former Bigs and Littles about how their lives were transformed by being in the program. Former Chief Executive Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County, Susan Rolston, was honored at the reception. Susan had been CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County for over 13 years prior to the agency merging with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. A scholarship was dedicated in honor of Susan and her late husband, Jim, for their commitment to the program. Susan’s previous Little Brother, Morgan, even made a surprise visit.

The evening was closed with a champagne toast to all the hard work and dedication of those who have made the last 50 years possible! Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay looks forward continuing our mission in Pinellas county and know that many lives have been touched along the way.

View the photo album for the Pinellas 50th Anniversary Reception here.

When you shop through AmazonSmile a portion of your purchase can be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay

Did you know that you can donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay while you shop with AmazonSmile? If you are not aware, then the month of March is the perfect time to make your first purchase! From March 12-31, 2018, Amazon’s donation platform, AmazonSmile, will TRIPLE donations to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay on your first eligible purchase.

For your purchase to qualify for the donation, you must select Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay as your preferred non-profit when you visit smile.amazon.com. Look for “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on the product details pages of eligible products. AmazonSmile is only available on desktop or mobile browser. AmazonSmile is currently not available through the Amazon app.

Now is your opportunity to triple your impact! Start shopping with AmazonSmile today and give back to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay at smile.amazon.com/ch/59-2173085

Each year we select a Big Brother & Little Brother and Big Sister & Little Sister to be Big & Little of the Year

We are excited to announce our 2018 Bigs & Littles of the Year for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay! Each year we select a Big Brother and Big Sister match to represent our organization. The selection process involves matches being nominated by their Match Support Specialist, then sending the finalists to a selection committee comprised of Board members and corporate and community partners.

Big Sister Jessica & Little Sister Angie have been matched for over 3 years, ever since Jessica moved to Tampa from New York at age 20. Jessica was excited to be a Big Sister to Angie “to share all the values I learned growing up and to be able to make a difference in someone’s life.”

“This relationship has truly touched me,” Jess said. “I feel like I’m not only a mentor and role model to her, but also a true friend. I am usually a fast-paced person and juggle a lot of things in my everyday life. But with having Angie as my Little Sister, I have learned to slow down and enjoy the simpler things in life. The joy she has when she accomplishes something she didn’t think she could do is overwhelming and truly humbling. Her excitement for life has renewed my own sense of joy.”

“She has shown me that I can be comfortable with being myself no matter what,” said Angie, who likes to go roller skating with Jess while wearing matching costumes or hats. “Jess has impacted my life so much. I am so grateful to have her as a Big Sister.”

You can watch Big Sister Jessica & Little Sister Angie’s Big & Little of the Year video here.

Big Brother Michael & Little Brother Tavoris have been together more than 5 years, getting matched after Michael moved to Tampa following his graduation from the University of Connecticut. “I came here knowing that it was my turn to try and open doors for other people,” he said. “Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay was a perfect fit.”

When they first met, Tavoris was shy, had some struggles in school and occasionally would misbehave. Now his report card is full of As and Bs, and he and Michael have made several speeches together, once addressing a crowd of 500 adults. “If Michael was never in my life, my whole life would be different,” said Tavoris. “My school grades would not be as good as they are right now. My attitude would be different. My personality would be way different. Michael is a big part of my life.”

You can watch Big Brother Michael & Little Brother Tavoris’ Big & Little of the Year video here.

If you are interested in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, find out more information here.

Gen2Gen, a national organization that matches senior citizens with youth mentors, is hosting the Movies and Mentors competition

Who is your favorite movie mentor? Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid? Yoda in Star Wars? Movie mentors are an integral part of movie culture. That is why Gen2Gen, a national organization that matches senior citizens with youth mentors, is hosting the Movies and Mentors competition.

All you have to do is nominate your favorite movie featuring a Gen2Gen mentoring relationship. Once you have nominated your movie you will be entered to win $500 in movie tickets! Not sure how to choose your favorite? Host a watch party where you can watch your favorite Gen2Gen mentoring movies with your friends! It’s a great opportunity to talk about intergenerational mentoring while choosing the best movie to nominate. You can nominate your favorite Gen2Gen mentoring movie here. The deadline to nominate your movie is February 22^nd. Voting for the top pick will run from March 6^th-March 27^th, and winners will be announced on April 10^th!

If you think mentors only make a big difference on the big screen, hear about this Match with Big Brothers Big Sisters

Growing up with an abusive father, Roy vowed that he would be different — a promise he kept with his own kids. But when his two sons left home, Roy found the nest awfully empty. He babysat for his three granddaughters, served at his church, and took up new hobbies, but nothing seemed to fill the void.

After reading about Big Brothers Big Sisters in the paper, Roy decided to sign up. He was matched with Cahill, a 12-year-old boy with Asperger’s Syndrome who often struggled with social interactions.

Despite some awkward outings at the beginning, the two ended up bonding over superheroes and video games, enjoying time at the lake and trips to the state fair together. Roy watched Cahill’s attitude change from “I’m only doing this because my parents are making me” to excitedly bursting out the front door whenever his truck approached.

Five years later, at age 17, Cahill still enjoys spending time with Roy. “What began as an attempt to find purpose in my life,” Roy says, “has evolved into what might become a life-long friendship between Cahill and the ‘dude.’”

Nine million young people are growing up without a mentor in their lives. You can make a big difference for one of them. Learn more about becoming a Big here.

And don’t forget to nominate your favorite Gen2Gen mentoring movie!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay partnered with the SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival to create a community mural that will leave a lasting impact.

The community of St. Petersburg came together to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay in creating a 90-foot mural in Childs Park. In collaboration with the SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival, local artists Derek Donnelly and Chad Mize, the St. Petersburg Leadership Council, and the Florida Dream Center, the “Dream Big Be Big” mural was the kickoff event for the ten-day festival that highlights the power of public art all over Downtown St. Petersburg.

Thirteen Big/Little matches participated in making this mural a reality. Prior to the event, the Matches received a lesson in the techniques of muralism while brainstorming the greater idea of what it means to “dream big”. Empowering youth through art, the mural included imagery symbolizing what it means to be bigger than oneself with illustrations of hearts, animals, and words of positivity included in the painting. On the day of the event, friends, family, and community leaders, including the Mayor of St. Petersburg Rick Kriseman, took part in the painting the mural, truly making this a symbol of the neighborhood’s comradery and goodwill.

This project sincerely inspired not only the Bigs and Little who participated but also the community that came together to create this life-long impression on the park and all those who will visit the mural in the future.

Want to get involved with projects like this? Mentor a child with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay!