Our agency is very excited to announce that we have surpassed the number of children we served last year!  The year is not over yet though and we still have important goals to reach.  We know that you share our vision to help all children achieve success in life, so we would like to share our needs in hopes that you can assist us in reaching our 2 main goals:

1. Making more matches between Bigs and Littles: this entails increasing the number of volunteer inquiries via recruitment and marketing.  More than 500 children are hoping to be matched with a Big Brother, Big Sister,or Big Couple in Pinellas, Citrus and Hernando counties.  About 200 of these children are ready and waiting to be matched with a Big.  
2. Increasing revenue: via corporate support, sponsorships, individual gifts and participation in special events.  The average cost of making a new match is approximately $1,200, including all necessary background screenings, interviews and professional support throughout the first year of the match.  Revenue is crucial to making new matches and serving more of the children who are waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister.

There are many ways that you, as a Big, can help:

1. For the holiday season, please consider participating in our online campaign and clothing drive (details below). 
2. We have opportunities for several office volunteer positions.
3. Please visit our online database to see if your employer has a matching program. If they do not, please reach out to your Human Resources department or business owner to inquire about starting one. Big Brothers Big Sisters can work with your organization to set up a matching program, or direct payroll deductions for employees who would like to show support in smaller increments.

Give the Gift of a Lifetime   

As a Big, you know best what kind of impact you have.  More than 500 children are hoping to be matched with a Big Brother, Big Sister, or Big Couple in Pinellas, Citrus and Hernando counties.  With background screenings, trainings, interviews and professional support for the first year, it costs nearly $1,200 to make and support one new match.  Please help other children who are waiting for the same wonderful experience by giving the gift of a "BIG".  You know that it will be a gift that will last a lifetime. 

Set up a simple online account and direct friends and family by email to give gifts through our secure website.  It is a fast way to accept gifts from your supporters over the holidays; gifts that you know will be put to good use at BBBS!  Please sign up today at: https://bbbspc.myetap.org/fundraiser/giveabig/

School Based Clothing Drive

The schools we serve in our School Based program have expressed a desperate need to restock their clothing closets on campus!

Items needed include:

Boys and Girls ages 5-14

Underwear, pants, shorts, shoes, socks, and shirts

Underwear and socks are the most needed items - Only New please! However, gently used shorts, pants, and shirts will be accepted. A couple of our schools require uniforms which include clothing items in light blue, navy, white, and khaki.

Contact your Match Manager to donate clothing. You may deliver to your Match Manager but please don't deliver to the schools individually - BBBS will be delivering to schools right before the holiday break.

You may also deliver or send items to our Largo office.

Contact: Debbie Huffer (DebbieH@bbbspc.org)

Address: 918 West Bay Drive, Largo, FL 33770

Phone: (727) 518-8860

Deadline to donate: Friday December 9th

Your donation up to $500.00 is eligible for a tax write-off. You may contact our office for further details.

Please do not send cash or checks - tangible items are required.

Thank you SO much for considering supporting this giant need in the schools we serve this holiday season.

Pinellas County Schools' Mentor Strategies Workshops

Volunteers are provided useful information about being a mentor, a role model who offers encouragement. Participants will learn PCS mentoring policies & procedures, and effective listening.    

There are a minimum number of registered participants required to hold a workshop for mentors. Please register in advance.  To register, call the Office of Strategic Partnerships, Family & Community Relations: (727) 588-6000 ext 1853 or email Michelle Roberge, robergem@pcsb.org 

Friday, December 2nd

9:00 - 11:00am

Administration Building - Room E111

301 4th St. S.W., Largo, FL 33770

Tuesday, December 6th

8:00 - 10:00am

Curlew Creek Elementary

3030 Curlew Road, Palm Harbor, FL 34684

Tuesday, December 13th

3:00 - 5:00pm

St. Petersburg City Hall, Room 100

175 5th St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Match Managers

Ashley Batson  

AshleyB@bbbspc.org 

727-637-4935 

Sandy Lane Elementary

Heather McKean  

HeatherM@bbbspc.org

727-434-3102

Campbell Park Elementary, 

Ozona Elementary YMCA,

Thurgood Marshall Middle School

Stacey Grusden  

StaceyG@bbbspc.org   

727-434-3108

Sunset Hills YMCA,

Tyrone Middle School, High Point Elementary School

Caitlin Ryan

CaitlinR@bbbspc.org 

727-434-3109

Belleair Elementary School, Belleair YMCA, Lakewood Elementary School, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Boys & Girls Club