Jay and Nicholas 

Little Brother Nicholas was the last one of his siblings to be matched in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. He is very close to his older sisters, and as his grandfather said, "He was always surrounded by females!"  When he finally met his Big Brother, Jay, he was very happy and relieved. After their very first outing, Nicholas declared Jay to be "A good Big Brother!" They have only gotten closer since then, and Nicholas is happy to have some "guy time" away from his sisters.

Jay and Little Brother Nicholas were matched in January of this year. Both enjoyed each other's company right from the start. They have spent time playing sports, attending games, and getting to know each other.  At the time they were matched, Nicholas was living with his grandparents and sisters in Clearwater. After school closed for the summer, Nicholas and his siblings moved back in with their mom and the family now lives in Tampa. Nicholas was concerned that Jay might not be willing to travel the extra distance to see him once he moved, but Jay never hesitated in committing to keep the match going, regardless of the drive. In fact, he picked up Nicholas and all his stuff, and helped him actually make the move. Jay continues to see Nicholas regularly, and they always have a great time.

Jay and Nicholas' most recent match outing was when Jay unexpectedly received time off of work. He met up with Nicholas, went to Busch Gardens for the afternoon, and then decided to try and find tickets to attend a Bucs game. So they went to Raymond James Stadium and searched the crowd for extra tickets. That was when Jay and Nicholas were approached by a very large, tall man. Towering at about 6'7, the stranger asked Jay if he wanted two tickets. He directed the match to wait against a wall, walked away, and returned minutes later with a large bag. The stranger then introduced himself as a former Super Bowl player of the Chicago Bears and gave Jay and Nicholas two tickets. He also gave Nicholas free Bucs T-shirts, forty Bucs Bucks, and told Nicholas if he needed football cleats, tuition to play football, etc, that Jay should call him! They also came to find that this player was a mentor himself. They parted ways and Jay and Nicholas went to find their seats and enjoy the game, in Row A!

Like many other Bigs, Jay demonstrates his dedication and continued commitment to his Little. Nicholas is lucky to have his Big Brother in many ways!

Share your match moments with your Match Manager. You never know, your story could inspire others just like Jay and Nicholas.  

100 Men in 100 Days

June 1st-September 8th, 2011

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 

Match Appreciation Event

Red, White & Blue for You

A Hero's Experience

September 23, 2011, 6:00-9:00pm   

Mahaffey Theater

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:           

Mavericks High

Mavericks High of Pinellas County
1197 East Bay Drive, Largo: (727) 474-8836

Mavericks High of South Pinellas County
4901 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg: (727) 216-7757

Mavericks High School was established to provide an educational choice to students who have dropped out of school or who may be in danger of dropping out. Using 21st Century technology and with a focus on individualized attention, Mavericks High School offers students, who are challenged by the traditional approach to learning, the opportunity to earn a state-recognized high school diploma. This high-tech high school provides students ages 15-21 a strong research-based curriculum as well as support for pursuing continuing education or a suitable vocation.  This is a tuition free public charter school with flexible schedule and year-round enrollment.

For more information, visit www.maverickshigh.com or contact the schools directly. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters has received four complimentary tickets for admission to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. 

Dolphin Shows  

Thanks to a generous donation from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, we have a limited number of coupons for $2.00 off general admission. 

Regular admission prices are: $12.95 for adults, $8.95 for seniors over 60,

$7.95 for children from ages 3-12.

Tickets are given on a first come first serve basis.  Contact DebbieH@bbbspc.org to claim tickets.   

All tickets must be picked up at our office or at Gold's Gym
Big Brothers Big Sisters: 918 West Bay Dr., Largo (Mon-Thurs 9am-6pm, Fri. 9am-4pm)
Gold's Gym*: 203 38th Ave. N., St. Petersburg (Open 24 hours from 5am Mon. - 9pm Fri., Sat. 8am - 7pm, Sun. 8am - 5pm)

All services are performed by students under the supervision of licensed educators.

First Come, First Serve'! When requesting a gift card, please email your name, your Little's name, the tickets you are requesting and your preferred pick up location to DebbieH@bbbspc.org 

All tickets must be picked up at our office or at Gold's Gym

Big Brothers Big Sisters: 918 West Bay Drive, Largo, (Mon.-Thurs. 9am - 6pm, Fri. 9am - 4pm)

Gold's Gym: 203 38th Avenue N., St. Petersburg, FL  33704 (Open 24 hours from 5am Mon. - 9pm Fri., Sat. 8am - 7pm, Sun. 8am - 5pm)

Clearwater Community Sailing Center
 1001 Gulf Boulevard
Clearwater, FL  33767   

Tandem Kayak Rentals, $10 per hour

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 9am-Sunset

For all activities at Clearwater Community Sailing Center:

-Please bring your match id

-Shoes are required (not flip flops, crocs are okay)

-Please call in advance to confirm availability: 727-517-7776

-A parent must complete a waiver - click here to view and print: Waiver form

Tampa Yankees

Thanks to our partnership with the Tampa Yankees, we have tickets for our matches to enjoy: 

EVERY FRIDAY  

Nielsen Starlight Concerts

7:00pm-9:00pm 

Highlander Park   

1920 Pinehurst Road

Dunedin, FL 34698 

9/2 - Coo Coo Ca Choo - Classic Rock

9/9 - The Rockaways - From the Beatles to blues rock

9/16  - The De Lei'd Parrots - Oldies and Tropical Rock

9/23 - Late Night Brass - Horn-band classics

9/30 - Pocket Change - Motown, R&B, Soul 

For more information, contact the Parks & Recreation Department: 727-812-4530 

 
Ballroom Fridays

7:00pm-9:00pm
Largo Community Center
400 Alt Keene Rd.
Largo, FL  33771
 
Enjoy a night filled with ballroom dancing every Friday night from 7-9pm for a live band playing all your favorite music.  The Ellis Hale Combo plays as you dance the night away. $7 at the door. Dress to impress. For more information, visit www.largocommunitycenter.com for more information or call (727) 518-3131. 

Square Dance

7:30pm-9:45pm  
Largo Community Center
400 Alt Keene Road
Largo, FL  33771
 
Are you and your Little interested in Square Dancing? Well, they have one of the best callers in the country right at the Largo Community Center. Come dance the night away as the resident "Caller" Allen Snell leads you around the floor.  Admission is $5.00. For more information visit www.largocommunitycenter.com for more information or call 727-518-3131.

EVERY SATURDAY

Kids...Dillydally with Dalí 

11:45am-4:00pm
Dali Museum
1 Dali Blvd. (Bayshore Dr. S.E. & 5th Ave. S.E.), St. Petersburg  

Every Sat. Dilly dally with Dali with fun games, puzzles and craft activities which educate and encourage family interaction. Children can discover the creative world of Dalí every day in the Education Classroom with stories, puzzles and activities which educate and encourage family interaction.

We begin every weekday at 10:30 with a story hour featuring selected books from the Dalí Museum library and store. Activities and puzzles are available through 4:00 p.m. each day of the week to allow families to explore the Museum on their own. On Saturdays, dillydally with Dalí with fun games, puzzles and unique arts & craft activities.  

Cost: Free for classroom activities, does not include museum admission. For more information www.thedali.org or 727-823-3767.  

Guided Hike   

9:00am-11:00am  
Weedon Island Preserve
1800 Weedon Dr. NE
St. Petersburg, FL  33704
 
Come to Weedon Island Preserve and learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of the island. There will be hiking through coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems of the Preserve so be sure to bring water and a snack. A hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended.  All ages welcome - children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Free of charge. For more information, visit www.pinellascounty.org/environment or call 727-453-6500.   

Swing Dance Saturdays

8:00pm-11:00pm 

Largo Community Center  

400 Alt Keene Rd

Largo, FL 33771

Come out to the Largo Community Center every weekend for Swing Dance Saturdays, presented by Savoy South, the longest running weekly swing dance party in the USA. Admission includes a basic East Coast swing dance lesson from 7-8pm and DJ dance from 8-11pm. Casual dress is welcome and concessions will be available for purchase. Admission Price: $7.00. For more information, call (727)518-3131 or visit www.LargoCommunityCenter.com  

1:00pm-4:00pm

The Pier

800 2nd Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg     

Every Sunday The Pier hosts a new musical act for your listening pleasure at the Waterside Courtyard. Featuring local bands and musicians from a four county area with Top 40, Southern Rock, Classic Rock, Jazz and other types of music for your listening and/or dancing pleasure. For more information, email stpeteevents@gmail.com, visit www.stpetepier.com or call 727-821-6443.

September 2

Gulfport Art Walk  

6:00pm-10:00pm  
Gulfport
Beach Blvd.
Gulfport, FL 33707
 
Local artists, fine crafts, antique dealers and art demonstrations, glass blowing demonstrations and 20-minute lessons at the Industrial Arts Center are featured. Live entertainment throughout the waterfront district. There are free trolley rides and well-mannered pets are welcome.  For more information visit: www.gulfportflorida.us.gulfport-art-walk

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.

Tampa Bay History Center

Sports in Tampa Bay Exhibit   

Through Sept. 12

10:00am-5:00pm (Regular hours) 

Tampa Bay History Center

801 Old Water St., Tampa  

You and your little can check out a new exhibit spotlighting the great sports history and figures of the bay area at the Tampa Bay History Center.   

Cost:  

$12, adults

$10, seniors and students with valid ID

$7, ages 4-12

Free: ages 3 and younger      

For more information: www.tampabayhistorycenter.org   

Free Museum Day

9:00am-4:00pm

St. Petersburg, FL  

Various museums, galleries, performing arts locations throughout the city open their doors to the public for a Free Day at the venues. For more information, visit www.stpete.org/artsalive 

Thursday, October 27

Pumpkin Carving Party

5:30pm-8:00pm, Open house

Smith & Associates Real Estate Office 

330 Beach Drive NE