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Big Brother Randall Durham & Lajaune
Big Brother Randall Durham and Little Brother Lajaune have been matched since August of 2012 and have already developed their own match identity together. Big Brother Randall describes Lajaune as a great kid who is very responsible. Lajaune is 14 yrs old and the oldest sibling in his family; he is also the only boy in a household of females.
This match is very passionate about hockey and frequents Lightning games every month. Lajaune says that he loves attending hockey games with his big brother and Randall feels the same; however, it hasn't always been this way. Neither Randall nor Lajaune ever showed an interest in hockey until they received free tickets from the agency and hesitantly attended a game. Soon after, Randall reported that they were both hooked on hockey! Randall said that they get so excited at the games, cheering on the Lightning and getting into the game.
Share your match moments with your Match Manager. You never know, your story could inspire others just like Randall and Lajaune.
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| Agency Information & Events |
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Save the Date!
The BIG Celebration
Friday, April 27, 2012
6:00pm-9:00pm
Mahaffey Theater
400 1st Street S.
St. Petersburg
Please save the date for our annual BIG Celebration - BBBS's signature event of the year to honor all of our Bigs, donors and corporate sponsors who are committed to changing the lives of children facing adversity in our community.
Please click here to register today!
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We need our Bigs in a BIG Way for Bowl for Kids' Sake!
Bowl for Kids' Sake, presented by Bright House Networks, is about having fun to help kids continue on a positive path. It is Big Brothers Big Sisters' largest fundraiser, raising the funds needed for children right here in Pinellas County - children just like your Little!
By supporting Bowl for Kids' Sake, more Bigs and Littles can be paired up, more friendships can be gained, and improved outlooks on life can be started.
Bigs, if you raise $240 during the campaign, your Little in the program will receive a $50 savings bond.
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Exclusive Match Event Opportunity
Celebration Station
Sunday, March 25th
1:00pm-3:00pm
24546 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater
Has your Little been asking to go to Celebration Station? We have the perfect opportunity for you! Thanks to the Clearwater Young Professionals, we are hosting a VIP Match Event at Celebration Station for you to take your Little, without breaking the bank!
This event is open to the first 25 Bigs who participate in Bowl for Kids' Sake this year! If you don't have 4 members to join a team, don't worry... you can make a team all by yourself! The purpose of Bowl for Kids' Sake is to raise necessary funding that will allow us to serve more Littles. Bowling is not the purpose, although it is a fun bonus! If you want to create a team for other Bigs to join, please set up the team on our campaign website, then post a link to your team on our Facebook page, asking other Bigs to join: www.facebook.com/bbbspc
To be eligible for the VIP Match Event at Celebration Station, you must be registered as a Bowl for Kids' Sake participant on our campaign website and raise at least the minimum of $240 before March 10th. Once you have raised $240, please email Christa Wingert with your bowling team name to sign up for this VIP Match Event: ChristaW@bbbspc.org
Act fast, only the first 25 Bigs are eligible. Register today! https://bbbspc.myetap.org/fundraiser/PinellasBFKS2012/
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Children Hoping for a Community Based Big Brother or Big Sister
The following list shows the number of children who are hoping to be matched in the Pinellas Community Based program. There are currently 75 girls and 275 boys, for a total of 350 children!
Clearwater: 15 girls, 45 boys
Dunedin: 1 girl, 8 boys
Largo: 9 girls, 32 boys
Indian Rocks Beach: 1 boy
Oldsmar: 2 girls, 4 boys
Palm Harbor: 2 girls, 7 boys
Pinellas Park: 3 girls, 20 boys
Safety Harbor: 2 girls, 2 boys
Seminole: 5 girls, 10 boys
St. Pete: 37 girls, 137 boys
Tarpon Springs: 1 girl, 9 boys
The Community Based program is ideal for someone who has more free time during weekends and evenings and prefers a flexible schedule. Volunteers take the child on 2 outings per month for 2-4 hours, at times that are convenient for both the Big and the Little.
Children Hoping for a School Based Big Brother or Big Sister
The list below reflects the number of children who were not able to be matched this school year. We currently have a total of 54 children hoping for a School Based Big.
Belleair Elementary: 1 girl, 7 boys
Campbell Park Elementary: 1 girl, 8 boys
Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy: 1 girl
Chi Chi Rodriguez Afterschool: 2 boys
High Point Elementary: 1 girl, 5 boys
John Hopkins Middle: 2 girls, 1 boy
Lakewood Elementary: 1 girl, 3 boys
Ozona Elementary: 1 girl
Ozona YMCA: 3 girls, 1 boy
Sandy Lane Elementary: 2 girls, 5 boys
Sunset Hills Elementary: 1 boy
Sunset Hills YMCA: 3 girls, 3 boys
Thurgood Marshall Fundamental: 2 girls
The School Based program is ideal for someone who needs a consistent schedule to meet with their Little Brother/Sister and has time during the day. Volunteers meet with a child at their elementary or middle school for one hour per week. Some of our School Based Bigs choose this program because they want to invest their lunch break one day a week, or they have kids at home but they still want to get involved.
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 Christa at ChristaW@bbbspc.orgor 727-518-8860 x227. |
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Reaching BIG Potential Lunches
Do you know someone who wants to learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters or get involved? Consider inviting them to attend one of our Reaching BIG Potential Events. This free, one-hour informational session will provide you with an inside look at what Big Brothers Big Sisters achieves in our community.
- Thursday, March 15th - Big Brothers Big Sisters Office: 918 West Bay Drive, Largo
- Thursday, April 19th - SPC Allstate Center, Conference Room 110: 3200 34th Street South, St. Petersburg
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Make BBBS Your Charity of Choice!
Are you involved with an organization who is planning an event or fundraiser? Do you have, or know of a business who would like to give back to the community? Big Brothers Big Sisters serving Pinellas, Hernando and Citrus Counties is looking for local organizations to participate in our Charity of Choice program!
A couple of ideas on how to become a Charity of Choice partner would be to have a special day at your place of business where a % of the proceeds benefit our agency, or to hold a special event for a group, where part of the the entry fees or food and beverage sales benefit our local children served by Big Brothers Big Sisters.
To participate, all event planning would be the sole responsibility of the organization that chooses us as their Charity of Choice. Due to a very limited staff, our agency cannot participate in actual event planning, but could potentially send a representative on the day of the event. To help promote the event, our agency would be happy to communicate details of your event to our constituents through email newsletters and social media, as appropriate.
If you have a Charity of Choice idea or suggestion, please contact Christine Battista, Marketing & Communications Coordinator: 727-518-8860 ext 231, or ChristineB@bbbspc.org
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Rays Community Corner - BBBS Volunteers Needed!
April 7th
5:00pm-9:00pm
Tropicana Field
1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg
Big Brothers Big Sister is looking for 15-20 volunteers to assist with the Rays Community Corner during opening weekend on Saturday, April 7th. Volunteers will be promoting Big Brothers Big Sisters and giving away a special Rays Promotion to game attendees. Volunteers will assist until the start of the 3rd inning and then will be given a complimentary ticket to enjoy the rest of the Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees game. ** Volunteers must be 18 years old or older.
The Rays Community Corner is dedicated to helping local nonprofit organizations raise awareness for their causes. Throughout the season, Rays Community Corner is host to a variety of local groups who are given the opportunity to share their mission with dedicated Rays fans.
Representatives from the organizations pass out information to promote their local programs and are available to share their stories and answer questions.
Click here to register!
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Bright House Networks
Thanks to a very generous in-kind donation from our friends at Bright House Networks, our David Price PSA is now airing on several TV stations! The spot will air through March 4th between 6:00am and midnight each day, on 29 networks! Exposure of this magnitude will help us reach countless potential Bigs and donors, ultimately helping us to serve more of the children who need us. We are truly fortunate to have such wonderful corporate partners that support our mission.
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Michelle McIntosh
Big Sister, Michelle McIntosh, went above and beyond her responsibilities as a Big when she offered to help us update our adult enrollment form for potential Bigs. Thank you to Michelle for participating on our Facebook page and for responding to our request for help!
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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Why is it so important to stay in contact with my Match Support Specialist?
Match Support contacts are required to be done with all parties, Parent/Guardian, Little, and Big on either a monthly or quarterly basis depending on the length of your match. This policy was put into place to enhance the match relationship but also to ensure child safety. Often there are times during match relationships, just like any relationships, when there are bumps in the road and your Match Support Specialist will be there to guide and support you. These circumstances are often difficult so rely on BBBS staff to guide you through this difficult time. They will give you ideas, encouragement, and assistance to help your relationship with your Little and their family to grow. Also, Match Support Specialists are a great resource for outings and activity idea.
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| BIG Opportunities for Littles |
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2012 Student Legal Intern Program
The Clearwater Bar Association is pleased to announce its 7th Annual Student Legal Intern Program (SLIP) which will welcome high school interns in the summer of 2012. Applications are accepted through April 27, 2012, with the class serving its six-week internship from June 11 through July 20, 2012. Selected applicants will be interviewed the week of May 14.
The CBA's SLIP interns will be paid up to $1,700 for the six week program (roughly $7/hour). To be considered, applicants will complete a lengthy application, submit a school transcript, two letters of recommendation and prepare a 600 to 750-word essay. This year's essay topic is: Tell us a story that explains why this internship is an important opportunity for you. Selected applicants will be interviewed in person by appointment, date to be announced. Students must live in or attend school in north Pinellas County and have completed 10th grade but not yet graduated from high school. All students are given equal consideration for selection in the program regardless of G.P.A. Applicants who would benefit the most from this experience will be given top priority.
If you would like to apply for an internship please contact the Clearwater Bar Association or phone at (727)461-4869 or visit http://clwbar.org/intern.html. All applicants will be given equal consideration and if selected for the program will be required to provide a social security number.
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Thanks to our supportive community partners, we are able to offer our Bigs and Littles great discounts for local businesses and activities. If you, or someone you know would like to offer a special opportunity for our matches, please email Christine Battista, Marketing & Communications Coordinator: ChristineB@bbbspc.org.
Below are our newest offers available. Please be sure to thank our wonderful community partners when you take advantage of these great offers! Check our website often for a complete list of Big Perks: www.bbbspc.org/bigperks
Liberty Lanes
Enjoy 2 hours of bowling with your Little for only $9. Includes a lane rental, balls, and up to four pairs of bowling shoes. No coupon necessary - just let the attendant at the desk know that you are a Big in Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Liberty Lanes is located at 11401 Starkey Road in Largo. For hours, please visit www.libertylanesbowling.com or call 727-397-3947.
I9 Sports Leagues i9 Sports puts the fun back where it belongs! We organize youth sports leagues for kids 3-14 in Southern Pinellas County with sites in St. Pete and Largo. Our focus is on FUN: no drafts or tryouts and every child plays at least half the game; CONVENIENCE: 8-week long program with practices and games only ONE day a week on Saturday mornings and no required volunteering or fundraising; SAFETY: all coaches and referees undergo background checks. Bigs, visit www.i9sports.com or call (727) 499-8151 for more league details to see which sports are offered for the upcoming season! We're offering a special $99 rate for BBBS - that's $36 saved from the full program fee. Visit our website or call to register. With i9 Sports, everyone plays and everyone wins.
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Clay Creations at The Dunedin Fine Art Center
The Clay Creations match event was held on Saturday, January 28th and Sunday, January 29th at the Dunedin Fine Arts Center. Both Bigs and Littles participated in a Clay Creations Lab where they worked together to make frogs o n a lily pad or fierce dragons. A special thank you to Todd Still and Jackie LaDrig from the Dunedin Fine Arts Center for arranging this opportunity and making this a fun filled event for both Bigs and Littles!
Please click on the picture to the left to view more photos!
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Be Your Personal Best: A Day for the Girls
This was a brand new match event where Big and Little Sisters enjoyedg an afternoon of food, fun, and learning. This event was held on Sunday, February 12th at the Belleair Country Club. The matches enjoyed a meal, along with tea, and etiquette lessons for Little Sisters. The girls got to dress up and had the opportunity to get their hair, make-up, and nails done. The matches also had the chance to get their photos taken together while looking their best! 
Big Brothers and Big Sisters would like to thank those who volunteered their time for this event.
A special thanks to: Protocol by Priscilla for the etiquette lesson; Adryenne Hocutt "Jazzy" from Photography By Jazzy; Tricia Buriff and Kasi Bedford from More To Life; Penny Jackson and Erin Whitney from Mary Kay; Alexander Fenn, Alice Norwall and Niki Cole for nails; Cindy Colley for photo prep, and Danielle Mathena for hair.
Please click on the picture to the right to view more photos!
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| Tickets Available for Matches |
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Ballroom With A Twist
Sunday, March 4
7:00pm
Mahaffey Theater 400 1st Street S.
St. Petersburg
Due to a generous donation from the Mahaffey Theater Foundation, we have 30 tickets available for our matches to enjoy the show!
Ballroom with a Twist starring from Dancing with the Stars: Edyta Sliwinska and Alec Mazo. Conceived and choreographed by Dancing with the Stars' Louis Van Amstel. See your favorite "Dancing with the Stars" celebrities live!
*To take advantage of this offer, all requests must be submitted online by 11am tomorrow (Friday morning). Tickets will be available for registered matches at the will-call window at Mahaffey Theater.
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Tampa Yankees 2012 Spring Training Games 
George M. Steinbrenner Field
3802 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Tampa, FL 33607
Thanks to a generous donation from one of our supporters, we have tickets for our matches to enjoy the Yankees Spring Training games! The games listed below are for 2 tickets, with seats located behind the Yankee dugout! Please click on the date listed below to register. *Only 2 tickets per match please.*
Sunday March 4: Yankees vs. Phillies, 1:05pm (*these must be picked up at our office Friday for this weekend's game*)
Sunday March 11: Yankees vs. Phillies, 1:05pmSunday March 25: Yankees vs. Tigers, 1:05pmFriday March 30: Yankees vs. Phillies, 7:05pm
We also have 10 vouchers that include admission for 4 to any of the Spring Training home games this season. Please click here to register for the general admission vouchers. You must bring this voucher to the ticket office at the field to reserve your tickets to the game.
**Please Note that ALL tickets must be picked up at our office or at Gold's Gym.
Big Brothers Big Sisters: 918 West Bay Dr., Largo FL 33770 (Mon.-Thurs. 9am - 6pm, Fri. 9am - 4pm)
Gold's Gym: 203 38th Ave. N., St. Petersburg (Open 24 hours from 5am Monday-9pm Friday; Sat. 8am-7pm; Sun. 8am-5pm)
*If you select to pick up tickets at Gold's Gym, please note that we need 1 full business day (excluding weekends) from the time you request tickets to transport your tickets from our office to Gold's.
Tickets are given on a first come first serve basis.
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Rip.Tied. Tickets at freeFall Theatre
Due to a generous donation, the freefall Theatre is offering our matches tickets to their new show, Rip.Tied. The play will run from March 15th - April 1st, and is appropriate for ages 12 and up. Very mature 10 and 11 year olds would be okay at the discretion of the Big and the child's parent/guardian. There is some on-stage violence and language that wouldn't be appropriate for younger children.
Here is a description of the play:
In this world premier production of a new play by Aleshea Harris, Viola and Donis Masterson live in a sleepy Southern town, in a crooked crazy house, where love is tucked into dark secret places, where people die without dying, and where it may be possible to fly. Inspired by numerous African folk tales used to explain the disappearance of runaway slaves as literally flying away to freedom, this compassionate and lyrical new play explores family, legend, and the value of self-determination.
All show dates are listed at: freefalltheatre.com. If you have an older Little who is allowed to stay out late, the theater suggests attending the Saturday, March 17th show at 8pm, as there will be a talk-back after the show with the director, the playwright, and the cast.
The theatre has a limited supply of donated tickets. To see what is available, please call the freeFall Theatre box office at 727-498-5205 ext 1.
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| Activities in Our Community
The following activites are not hosted by BBBS - staff may not be present.
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Be sure to visit the "Bigs Only" section of our website to view recurring community events that you and your Little can take part in. Please click on the links below to view the information most helpful to your match:
Match Activity Ideas - organized by age group
Big Perks - coupons and deals for local activities
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Each Saturday
Sunset Cinema at Pier 60
All Movies Start at Approx. 6:30 p.m.
Pier 60
10 Pier 60 Drive
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Bring blankets, low lawn chairs or towels to plop on Clearwater Beach and watch free movies. Conceesions for sale. No alcohol. Show starts around dusk. Price: Free. For more information, contact (727) 434-6060 or www.sunsetsatpier60.com.
March 3 - PG-13 rated film Must Love Dogs
March 10 - PG rated film The Phantom of the Opera
March 17 - PG-13 rated film Blue Crush 2
March 24 - PG-13 rated film Three Musketeer's
March 31 - PG-13 rated film Footloose
Saturday, March 3 "Learning is WonderBull!" Children's Festival
10:00 a.m. University of South Florida College of Education
4202 E Fowler Ave.
Tampa, FL 33620 Children of all ages can interact with small, tame animals at the "Busch Gardens Live" booth and enjoy a variety of other learning activities including an electronic photo booth, educational games and activity stations. Price: Free. For more information, contact (813) 974-7440.
Jack and the Beanstalk
11:00 a.m.
105 Central Park Drive
Largo, FL 33771
Families can enjoy the classic tale about Jack, who trades his cow Betsy for magic beans. Story includes sing-alongs, a giant and a comical cow.
Price: $7.50, $6.50 children. For more information, contact (727) 587-6793.
Sunday, March 4
9530 S Parkside Ave.
Floral City, FL 34436
Featuring two days of shortcake and other strawberry delights, more than 200 fine art and craft booths, continuous live entertainment, contests, pageants, children's activities and more.
Price: $3, 11 and younger free. For more information, contact (352) 795-3149.
The Wedding Singer
2:00 p.m.
James McCabe Theater
506 Fifth St.
Valrico, FL 33594 This classic tale is of rock-star wannabe Robbie Hart, who is New Jersey's favorite wedding singer until his own fiancée leaves him at the altar and he makes every wedding a disaster. But life could turn around for Robbie, if he can pull off a dynamite performance and win over Julia, the girl of his dreams. Price: $12 adults and $10 youth/senior/military. Door: add $3. For more information, (813) 689-0044.
Saturday, March 10
Children's Expo
10:00 a.m.
Florida State Fairgrounds 4802 U.S. 301 N Kids take over the Fairgrounds at this event with eight inflatable play areas, a 17-foot slide, face painting, twisted balloon art, arcade games, character meet and greets, a children's health area, bicycle safety course, car seat checks and a learning spot. Price: Free. For more information, contact (407) 889-8902or visit
http://childrensexpos.com/tampa/tampa-expo-pre-register/.
Sunday, March 11
Picnic in the Park
10:30 a.m.
401 W Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33606
Bring lunch, coolers, chairs and blankets for an old fashioned picnic under the shade of the stately Desoto oak tree in Plant Park. Includes barber shop quartet and classical music, a live theater performance, Victorian games including horseshoes, badminton, and complimentary ice cream. Price: Free (museum admission, boat rides, table reservations and box lunch additional, reservations for these must be made by March 8). For more information, contact (813) 254-1891.
Spring Break Beach Party
6:00 p.m.
701 Channelside Drive
Tampa, FL 33602
Members and their guests can enjoy this private party with hula-hoop contests, limbo competitions, games for kids, DJ dancing and beached-themed crafts. Price: $5 guests, members free.
Saturday, March 17
Indian Rocks Beach Green Fest
11:00 a.m.
Corner of 24th Avenue and First Street
Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785
In field behind COTI school. Fifth year for community festival with eco-friendly vendors selling plants and natural products, organic produce, handcrafted items, crafts, foods from local restaurants, how-to workshops, childrens' area with bounce house and playground,dancing, live music from Tony Wylie and the Islands. Proceeds benefit COTI School. Facebook.com/irbgreenfest.
Price: Free admission. For more information, contact (727) 667-0019.
Dream Big
11:00 a.m.
Ruth Eckerd Hall Murray Studio Theater
1111 N McMullen-Booth Road
Clearwater, FL 33759 Roger Day's show encourages kids to sing loud, jump high and dream big. He uses Schoolhouse Rock-type music, colorful imagery and verbal gymnastics to engage his audience. Price: $8. For more information, contact (727) 791-7400. Saturday, March 24
Indoor Radio Control Flying
3:00 p.m.
J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex
2830 Gulf Trace Blvd.
Holiday, FL 34691
All ages can come out to see what it's like to fly a remote controlled airplane under expert supervision and in a controlled environment.
Price: Free. For more information, contact (727) 942-7439.
Saturday Guided Hike at Weedon Island
9:00 a.m.
Weedon Island Preserve
1800 Weedon Drive NE
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Pull on your grubby sneakers and join a hike through coastal mangroves and upland ecosystems. Learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of this area. Bring water and hat. Recommended for ages six and older. Price: Free, but registration required. For more information, contact (727) 453-6500.
Sunday, March 25
Fossil Fest
10:00 a.m.
Florida State Fairgrounds Special Events Center
4802 North US Highway 301
Tampa, FL 33610
The Tampa Bay Fossil Club brings the Ice Age back to Florida with their annual show featuring displays of fossils and other artifacts from Florida's prehistoric people, gems, minerals and more. Also features programs on hunting for fossils and preservation techniques, fossil vendors and a kids' "fossil pit" activity where children dig in a sand pit for fossils then learn about what they've found and how the animal their fossil came from lived and when they died. Price: $6, 12 and younger free. For more information, contact (813) 909-9358
http://www.tampabayfossilclub.com/.
Saturday, March 31
$5 Day at MOSI
Noon
Everyone is admitted to MOSI's exhibit galleries for just $5. And, in celebration of DEA: Drug Awareness Day, enjoy live music by local bands, a DEA drug dog demonstration and DEA-related family activities. Price: $5. For more information, (813) 987-6000.
Springfest
10:00 a.m
Beach Boulevard
Gulfport, FL 33707
Gulfport celebrates Spring with this annual event including arts and crafts vendors, food, live entertainment on two stages, a children's activity area, bounce houses, games, face painting, an Easter bonnet walking parade (5 p.m.), and a hat contest with prizes for largest and most unique hats. Price: Free. For more information, contact (727) 322-5217.
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1 Year
Darell Bennett & Reese ● Stacie Ruegger & Kaleena ● William Viszt & Sid ● Danielle Kreusch & Yessenia ● Lindsay Middleton & Sabrina ● Raneata Lemke & Ariel ● Joni Johnston & Tiana ● Katrin Shapovalova & Alexandra ●Adam Miezio & Jaden ● Megan Hollern Kratz & Jazmin ● Edward Day & Devarus ● Benjamin Hennessey & Skyler ● Keith Appenzeller & Dylan ● Michael Patrick & Tyler ● Desmond Whitney & Felix ● Steve Baccich & Robert ● John Skiratko & Osage ● Derek Lucas & Ziyaun ● Julie Lopes & Kayla
2 Years
Lonnie Hawkins & Gerald ● Shari Queen & Carissa ● David Barnhill & Nathan ● Sean Goodrich & DeWuan ● Sandureen Stoker & Tessa
3 Years
Jarrod Langhans & Xaviear
4 Years
Laura Mudd & Kristie
5 Years
Ryan Kiehn & David
6 Years
Roger Mogle & Kevin
7 Years
Robert Lufkin & Ryan
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Bike Available
We have a donation of a bike for 4-5 year old boy or girl, with training wheels that can come off. If your Little could use this, please email: ChristineB@bbbspc.org
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Support BBBS through Matching Gifts
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. |
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Office Volunteers
Our agency is in need of several office volunteers, which include the following:
- Statistician Volunteer
- Information Technology Volunteer
- Volunteer Receptionist
- Volunteer Clerical Assistant
Please click here to visit our website and view descriptions for each position.
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New Home or Phone?Please help us keep our records up to date.
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Connect with us!
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