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Big Sister Jacqueline Roberts & Makhia
Big Sister Jacqueline and Little Sister Makhia have been matched for over a year and three months now. Since this match met, they have  learned to grow from one another and continue to progress a year later. They enjoy doing various activities together such as going out to dinner, participating in building workshops at Lowes, spending time at the pool, going to local festivals and attending the Teenstock Kids Helping Kids event.
Jacqueline is a constant figure in Makhia's life and has helped tremendously with her reading and spelling skills. When Jacqueline first learned that her little sister needed tutoring in reading and spelling, she saw it as an opportunity to help broaden her horizons. She started taking her to the library and picked out a series of books to read. Currently, Makhia's mom said that she is doing much better in school and the extra tutoring has improved her reading and spelling skills.
When Jacqueline asked what she liked most about Makhia, she replied "Makhia is very well mannered. She also has a very positive attitude and is really grateful for what she receives." Makhia's mom believes they share a great friendship and stated "that they are always happy together!" She also said that, "Jacqueline is just amazing and they are great together!" Even Makhia said that she wouldn't change anything about her friendship with her Big Sister because she is "really fun and nice!" In conclusion, this match has helped Makhia academically, socially, and has given both of them a true friend for a lifetime.
Share your match moments with your Match Manager. You never know, your story could inspire others just like Jacqueline and Makhia.
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| Agency Information & Events | |
Register Today!
The BIG CelebrationFriday, April 27, 20126:00pm-9:00pm
Mahaffey Theater
400 1st Street S.
St. Petersburg
Please join us with your Little for our annual BIG Celebration - Big Brothers Big Sisters' 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.
This will be a great time for you and your Little to celebrate your relationship and meet many other matches. Our donors and supporters will also be attending to witness and celebrate the bond that they have helped to create with our matches.
The evening will include music, dancing, a delicious dinner and ice cream bar catered by Outback Steakhouse, a photo booth, caricature artists and more. Our Master of Ceremonies for the event is Dick Crippen from the Tampa Bay Rays and the Rays mascot, Raymond, will be there as well!
The attire for this event is business casual. Doors will open at 6:00pm.
*This event is open only to Bigs, Littles, and our donors and program supporters. Space is limited and registration will close on April 18th or when full. Please make sure to register each person attending.
You don't want to miss this event! Please click here to register today!
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We Need Your Participation in our Research Study with University of Tampa Students!
Big Brothers Big Sisters serving Pinellas, Hernando and Citrus Counties is partnering with a team of graduate MBA students from the University of Tampa to continue our pursuit of enhancing your volunteer experience. The students are conducting a 2-part study that will help us serve our Bigs and Littles most effectively.
The first phase of the project was to complete focus groups and in-depth interviews, then the second phase of the study will be a brief email survey to all Bigs in both the Community Based and School Based programs. Our agency is very fortunate to have the opportunity of this research project!
We need all of our Bigs to complete the email survey that will be sent out in the next couple of weeks. Please be on the look-out for the email and complete the survey as soon as you can.
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Save the Date!
Companies for Kids Golf Invitational
 Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Shotgun Start-1:00PM
Innisbrook Golf & Country Club
Copperhead & Island Courses 36750 US Highway 19 N Join Big Brothers Big Sisters on October 2, 2012 for the inaugural Companies for Kids Invitational Golf Classic! Please come out and support the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters, encouraging children's potential through one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. The vision of the Companies for Kids Invitational event is to form corporate alliances with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the local business community. Together, we host an elite corporate event focused on raising significant funds for children facing adversity in our community. This will be our agencies only major golf tournament for this year, so don't miss out! Please click here for the sponsor sheet. Registration will be online soon! For more information on how you can participate as a sponsor or player, please contact Stephanie Sleight at 727-518-8860 ext. 261 or StephanieS@bbbspc.org
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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How do I talk with my Little about posting pictures and/or information about themselves on their Facebook page and/or other social media websites?
This is a topic that has come up a lot, not just the children in our program. It's important for you to explain to your Little that that once a picture is posted in the internet, it is there forever. Many kids don't realize that they don't know who is viewing their pictures so educating them is important in keeping them safe. Let them know that they should NEVER give out their real name, ages, phone numbers and/or address, they should NEVER meet with anyone they have met on the internet, even if they think it's someone their age, and they should always tell a trusted adult if someone is trying to get this information from them. Child safety is always our top priority so if your Little is putting themselves in danger by providing any information on-line about themselves, please let their parent/guardian know. And always, feel free to talk with your Match Support Specialist to get more help on dealing with this situation.
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| Announcements & Opportunities |
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Office Closed April 9th
Our agency will be closed the Monday following Easter. We will re-open for normal hours on Tuesday, April 10th.
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Big Perks
Thanks to our supportive community partners, we are able to offer our Bigs and Littles great discounts for local businesses and activities. To see examples of the existing offers available to matches, go to: www.bbbspc.org/BigPerks
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
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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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| Activities in Our Community |
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In an effort to streamline Match Flash, many recurring events have been moved to our website. 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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Saturday, April 7
Egg Hunt Underwater
12:00 - 3:00 pm
8145 W. Bicetennial Park Dri.
Crystal River, FL 34429
Citrus County Parks & Recreation brings you its next Underwater Egg Hunt. There will be two egg hunts for different age groups: Children ages 0-6 will hunt from 12-1:30 p.m. and children ages 7 - 12 will hunt from 1:30 - 3 p.m. Children will need to bring their own basket, swimming attire and an application of sunscreen is encouraged. Only 50 people at a time will be permitted onto the pool deck. While participants wait their turn, they can purchase food from the Nature Coast Volunteers and participate in festivities around the outside of the pool grounds. The festivities will include; potato sack races, egg races, face painting, arts and craft stations and much more. Price: Free.HOP - PG MovieLecanto Community Park
Movie begins at dusk
3505 W. Educational Path
Lecanto, FL 34461 Come join Citrus County Parks & Recreations for the next movie in their Spring/ Summer Movie in the Park Series. Bring the whole family out for this fun and event under the stars. The movie will begin at dusk. We will provide the popcorn, you make the memories. Price: Free.
Saturday, April 14
Children's Wildlife Jeopardy Program "Reptiles " 12:00 - 12:30 pm
4150 S. Suncoast Blvd.
Homosassa, FL 34448
A program on reptiles at the Children's Education Center at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Price: Regular park admission For more information, call Susan Strawbridge 352-628-5343, ext. 1002. Saturday, April 21
Earth Day Celebration
10:00 am - 4:30 pm
4150 S. Suncoast Blvd.
Homosassa, FL 34448
Exhibits will be set up by many environmental and educational groups in the Garden of the Springs and throughout the Park. The Wildlife Care department's volunteers will have educational interpretive carts out along the Wildlife Walk. Price: Regular park admission. For more information, contact (352) 628-5343. Saturday, April 28
Citrus County Sheriff's Office Summer Safety Expo Citrus County Auditorium9:00 am - 2:00 pm3610 Hwy. 41 South
Inverness, FL
Bicycle helmet giveaway, Children's games and activities, info booths, more. For more information, contact (352) 726-4488.
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1 Year
Adona Pearson & Jenna
2 Years
Sam Williams & Jordan ● Katie Chmura & Nicole
6 Years
Patricia Maeder & Tabitha
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Support BBBS through Matching GiftsPlease 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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New Home or Phone?Please help us keep our records up to date.
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