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Match Moments 
Steven and Isaiah
Citrus County
Big Brother Steven Pitts and Little Brother Isaiah have been matched since February of 2008. Isaiah is 11 years old and just started middle school this year. Their favorite activities include playing basketball, football and video games together, as well as just hanging out and talking. Steven has been a positive influence in Isaiah's life and is always there for him to offer support and guidance. During the 3 ½ years they have been matched, Isaiah has improved greatly in both academics and behavior. Isaiah's Grandmother, Diane, states that she would not change anything about the match. She says that "Steve is always there for Isaiah. He is just so great with him!"
Although he is only 11, Isaiah has already decided to live a healthier life - one that does not mirror the destructive tendencies of those around him. The influence of Steven is attributed to Isaiah's determination, along with Isaiah's eyewitness experience of what substance abuse can do to a person. It is no easy matter to convince loved ones to make better choices, Isaiah has found. He has seen and learned from others' mistakes. But he has also learned to see his own mistakes and make a change. Regarding his own bad tendencies, Isaiah says he was "getting in fights 24/7". However, then he met his Big who happened to be in law enforcement. Big Brother Steven has helped Isaiah to see how violence often leads to a life of crime.
Isaiah's Grandmother was happy to provide Match Manager, Kimberly, with a copy of an essay Isaiah wrote for school, in which he wrote about how Steven has been a positive influence in his life. When asked what he thought about the essay, Steven stated "I was really touched. It made me realize how much of an impact I have had on him and made me feel really good. I am proud of him."
With one-on-one attention and time spent doing everyday pre-teen activities, Steven has taught Isaiah important lessons and strong values. This matches' time together has enabled Isaiah to make choices that will keep him on a positive path through life. Please click here to read Isaiah's essay: The Reasons Why I Won't Make Bad Choices.
Share your match moments with your Match Manager. You never know, your story could inspire others just like Steven and Isaiah.
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100 Men in 100 Days
June 1st-September 8th, 2011
There are only 8 days left in Big Brothers Big Sisters "100 Men in 100 Days" campaign! This is part of our efforts to recruit more male volunteers in Pinellas, Hernando and Citrus Counties.
We need your help to reach our goal by September 8th to match the more than 400 boys waiting for mentors in our community!
Please help us spread the word by reaching out to your friends, family, and coworkers. Men can become Big Brothers in the Community or School-Based programs. We also have a "Sports Buddies" program where you can spend two outings a month enjoying or participating in a sport. Tickets are charitably donated or provided at a reduced rate by our generous Sports Buddies partners.
Click here to read more about the need for men on our website
Click here to learn more about Sports Buddies
Click here to visit our Facebook page and "Like" the campaign
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Children currently on the waiting list
Do you have friends or colleagues who are interested in getting involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters If you would like to host a recruitment drive or lunch and learn at your office, place of worship, networking group or social club please contact Sheri Chancey at SheriC@bbbspc.org or 352-422-1329.
Beverly Hills - 1 girl, 3 boys
Brooksville - 2 girls, 6 boys
Crystal River - 2 girls, 5 boys
Dunnellon - 2 boys
Floral City - 1 boy
Hernando - 1 girl, 1 boy
Homosassa - 1 girl, 3 boys
Inverness - 3 boys
Lecanto - 1 boy
Spring Hill - 9 girls, 28 boys
We also have 41 children in Citrus County on our waiting list in our School Based program, in which our volunteers meet with a child at their elementary school for one hour per week. This program is ideal for someone who needs a consistent schedule to meet with their little brother/sister and has time during the day. Some of our School Based Bigs choose this program because they want to invest their lunch break one day a week, or have kids at home but they still want to get involved.
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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This month's FAQ is a clarification from August's Match Flash's FAQ. There has been some confusion on what BBBSPC's policy is on overnights between Bigs and Littles.
Overnight visits or other sleepovers between a Big Brother, Big Sister, or Big Couple and their Little Brother or Little Sister are prohibited. Accordingly, violations of this policy could result in the closure of your match. A match may request an exception to this policy for a Special Occasion; all requests require written parental approval and the signed request must be submitted in writing to the Match Support Specialist at least two weeks (14 days) in advance. All requests for exception must be approved by the Agency's CEO or Executive Vice President of Programs. No exceptions will be made for Bigs and Littles who have not been matched for one year (12 months).
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Friday, September 23
Match Appreciation Event
Red, White & Blue for You
A Hero's Experience
September 23, 2011 6:00-9:00
Mahaffey Theater
400 1st St S St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Come enjoy a night of food, fun, and entertainment as we celebrate our Bigs and Littles with a Red, White and Blue for You, A Hero's experience! WKID 96.7FM, touch-a-truck display, tasty treats, and hands on activities will be available for everyone to enjoy!
To reserve your spot send an email with your name and your Little's name to ChristaW@bbbspc.org .
This is a BBBS hosted event, staff will be present.
Sponsored by: 
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Movies for $3.00
Spring Hill 8 - Touchstar Cinemas
2955 Commercial Way, Spring Hill
Located on US 19, behind the Outlet Mall and Pizza Hut
Movies that have just left the big screen can still be seen at Touchstar Cinemas for a low price! You not only won't miss out on seeing the next big flick, you will save big and have a selection of pictures you wouldn't see at most any theater. Regular prices are as follows:
$3.00 matinees (before 6pm)
$3.00 children, seniors, students, military
$4.00 adults (after 6pm)
3D films are an additional $3.50
Foreign films are priced differently.
Art Pictures are priced as follows:
$4.00 matinees (before 6pm)
$4.00 children, seniors, students & military $5.00 adults (after 6pm)
For more information: Call 352-666-6566 |
| Activities in Your Community
The Following activites are not BBBS hosted events. Staff may not be present. |
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As an extra benefit of being a Big, the agency receives a limited number of tickets for you and your Little to attend sporting events. Although we would like to accommodate all who would like tickets, we are limited in resources. Please be patient when responding about tickets and know that we always do our best to respond to your request as quickly as possible.
ALL tickets are 'First Come, First Serve'! When requesting a ticket, please e-mail DebbieH@bbbspc.org with the following information: your name, your Little's name, the tickets you are requesting and whether you are a Hernando or Citrus Match so that we can mail the tickets out to you if there is enough time to do so. Please include the address to which you would like your tickets to be mailed.
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Tampa Bay Rays
Thanks to our partnership with the Tampa Bay Rays and a generous donation from our supporters, we have tickets for our matches to enjoy:
Tampa Bay Rays
Tropicana Field
1 Tropicana Drive
St. Pete, FL 33705
Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 1:40 vs. Baltimore Orioles (4 tickets)
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 7:10 vs. Texas Rangers (50 tickets)
Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 7:10 vs. Boston Red Sox (2 tickets)
Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 1:40 vs. Boston Red Sox (4 tickets)
Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 7:10pm vs. Toronto Blue Jays (2 tickets)
Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 1:40 vs. Toronto Blue Jays (4 tickets)
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Tampa Yankees
Thanks to our partnership with the Tampa Yankees, we have tickets for our matches to enjoy:
Tampa Yankees
George M. Steinbrenner Field
3802 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Tampa, FL 33607
We have a limited number of tickets that include admission for 4 to any of the following games for September.
Thurs. Sept. 1st, 7:00pm - vs. Lakeland Flying Tigers
Sat. Sept. 3rd, 6:00pm - vs. Lakeland Flying Tigers
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Recurring Community Events
The Following activites are not BBBS hosted events. Staff may not be present. |
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Scalloping
'Tis the season for scalloping and the season has gotten longer. Florida's scalloping summer is now extended to September 25th for more outdoors fun! Don't miss out!
For more information visit:
http://www.visitcitrus.com/scalloping.aspx
Friday, September 2 - Monday, September 5
Alpaca Magic USA - Open House
10:00am-4:00pm
Alpaca Magic Farm
4920 Grover Cleveland
Homosassa, Florida 34446
Visit the farm anytime between 10am to 4pm. No need to call...just come by. Larry will take you on a farm tour. The crias (young alpacas) will be excited to eat out of your hand. You also can relax in The Magic Garden and browse through the farm store loaded with items made from alpacas' luxurious fleece.
For more information:
surialpaca@yahoo.com
352-628-0156
www.AlpacaMagicUSA.com
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EVERY SATURDAY
Farmer's Market
8:00am-2:00pm
Throughout Downtown Brooksville
The weekly Farmer's Market includes veggies and fruit,"direct from the farms", plants, herbs, soaps, jams, candy and other goodies. Local eateries open for your refreshments. For more information, call 352-848-0090.
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FIRST SATURDAY MONTHLY
Home Depot "How to Workshops"
Home Depot Stores
9:00am-12:00pm
1st Saturday of every month
Kids' "How to Workshops" are free and are designed for kids of the ages 5-12. The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills as well as tool safety. At the same time, this workshop helps to instill a sense of personal accomplishment. This time of fun allows for quality time between adults and children.
In addition to the new project kit that will be given, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron similar to The Home Depot associates' aprons and an achievement pin.
For more information, visit www.homedepot.com |
SECOND SATURDAY MONTHLY
Saturday, September 10 Market Days at Heritage Village 9:00am - 3:00pm The Shoppes of Heritage Village 657 N. Citrus Ave. Crystal River, FL 34428 Market Day with Art is on the Grounds of Heritage Village on the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m. Plants, produce and Local Artistic Talent & Craftmanship are invited to participate. Don't forget to visit the specialty shoppes & eateries in the Historic Downtown District, Citrus Avenue, Crystal River. For more information, call 352-564-1400 or visit: http://www.theshoppesofheritagevillage.com/ |
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SECOND AND FOURTH SATURDAY
Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic
10:00am-11:00am
Lowe's Build and Grow kid's clinics are a great way to help build confidence! Bring your Little into Lowe's to build their project of the week. Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch and a certification of merit upon completion of their project. Go to Lowesbuildandgrow.com to sign up at the store nearest you.
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Sunday, September 11
9-11 Display & Freedom Walk
5:30pm
Inverness Government Center
212 W. Main Street, Inverness
This display includes a large collection of artifacts from the World Trade Center attacks, including uniforms, fragments of the buildings, and medals, among other items. Outside, there is a Showcase of Heroes, honoring first responders. Following a brief ceremony at 5:30 pm, participants can join the Freedom Walk. This event is presented by NARLEO and the City of Inverness. Please call (352) 726-2611 for more information.
Friday, September 16
Friday Night Thunder
6:00pm-8:00pm
Inverness Government Center
212 W. Main Street, Inverness
Here is a car cruise-in that is presented by the City of Inverness and by local car clubs. It's a free show with more than 60 antique, classic, sport and imports. Call (352) 726-2611 for more information.
Summer Nights
5:00pm-10:00pm
Historic Downtown Brooksville
Eat at one of the local restaurants and take a stroll down Main Street while enjoying the free music and the free cruise-in at the car show. There will be local vendors and more! For more information: 352-410-1536
Saturday, September 17
Crystal River Preserve State Park Adopt-a-Shore Day
9:00am-2:00pm
Crystal River Preserve State Park
3266 N Sailboat Ave, Crystal River
Visit environmental booths by local clubs and organizations promoting ways to conserve, preserve and protect Citrus County's waters. At 7:00pm come and enjoy watching the films Living Waters and River's Journey in the Redfish Revue Theatre. Popcorn and cold drinks included. For information call (352) 563-0450. This event is Free.
Music on the Square
6:00pm-10:00pm
1 Courthouse Square, Inverness
Head to historic downtown Inverness for live music and other entertainment on Courthouse Square. Call (352) 400-4639 for information.
Saturday, September 24
29th Annual Homosassa River Raft Race
10:00am-4:00pm
MacRae's Homosassa Riverside Resort
5297 S. Cheokee Way
Homosassa Springs, FL 34448
Come and watch the race on the water. Quirky rafts and crew with quirky attire will be in the annual race. It's competitive fun for participants and spectators.
Visit http://www.riversideresorts.com/ for more information.
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1 Year
Marvin Chancey & Richard ● Pamela Mahoney & Wynter
2 Years
Lawrence Morabito & Damian ● Richard Perry & Andrew
6 Years
Dan Rosenberger & Richard
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