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August 2012 - Hernando & Citrus
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Big Sister Erin and Little Sister Samantha
Big Sister Erin and Little Sister Samantha have been matched for 5 years now. Their connection was immediate from day one and continues to evolve with every milestone the match reaches together. They enjoy many activities together such as shopping, going to the movies, the beach, running 5k's together, and volunteering for Habitat for Humanity which Samantha thought was "fantastic and a great time helping people out!"
Erin has been a constant role model in Samantha's life and it has truly helped her flourish into the amazing young woman she is today. Samantha has excelled in her studies getting High Honors in school. Samantha has even completed college applications in her junior year with the help of Erin. Today, as Samantha looks forward to her senior year, her guardian states she has seen a major improvement in Samantha and knows Erin has been incredibly helpful and supportive every step of the way. Samantha's guardian says the two "are a match made in heaven" and smiles from ear to ear when she returns home.
When Erin was asked what she thought of Samantha, she replied "she's an awesome kid and I'm very proud of her for wanting to continue studying." Even Samantha said that she wouldn't change anything about her friendship with Erin and noted "she's just a wonderful and amazing person and she's always there for me if I need to ask her a question about college or just want to talk." All in all, this friendship has endured many changes and challenges through the years, but it has always stayed true and strong as it will for many years to come.
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| Agency Information & Events | |
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Register Today!
Companies for Kids Golf Invitational
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Registration Starts-11:00am; 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. Online registration is now open! Please click here to register. Please click here for the sponsor sheet. For more information on how you can participate as a sponsor or player, please contact Mike Sutton at 727-518-8860 ext. 225 or MikeS@bbbspc.org
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Frequently Asked Question
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Why do I need to notify BBBS if any changes occur in the living arrangement of my household?
Keeping your Match Support Specialist updated of any changes that occur in your household is essential. It is important for the agency and the parent to know who is living in the volunteer's home to help ensure child safety which is our top priority - it is critical to be aware if a household member has a history of violations that could put the child at risk while matched with the volunteer. In addition, the parent has the right to know who their child could potentially be around while matched with the volunteer. Please notify your Match Support Specialist immediately when living arrangements change.
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| Tickets Available for Matches |
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Before requesting tickets:
- All requests for tickets must be placed through the online RSVP link provided in this email.
- All tickets are given on a first come, first serve basis.
- Please confirm your Little's eligibility before requesting tickets online.
- Tickets provided through BBBS are for Bigs and Littles only, unless otherwise noted.
- Out of courtesy to other matches, please only reserve tickets to one event where we have a very limited quantity of tickets available.
- **Important! You must enter your Little's name and other Big's name if part of a Big Couple when reserving tickets (click blue "ADD" button below your info). If you do not enter each person's name, you will only be reserving one ticket.**
All tickets must be picked up at one of the following locations, unless otherwise noted (*if you need tickets to be mailed, please feel free to send us self-addressed, stamped envelopes - please email our ticket contact listed on your confirmation to let us know):
- 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. Pete (Open 24hrs from 5am Mon - 9pm Fri, Sat 8am - 7pm, Sun 8am- 5pm)
After requesting tickets online:
- Allow 1 full business day to process ticket requests (Monday-Thursday). 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 your tickets are processed to transport them from our office to Gold's.
- **Wait for email confirmation that your tickets are ready to be picked up. We have volunteers helping to fill ticket requests, so if you do not receive an email stating that your tickets are ready, our staff in the office will not be able to assist you with locating tickets.
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Tampa Bay Rays
To reserve tickets, please click on the date above.
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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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Dance ScholarshipDancEtc
324 Kensington Ave. (Off of Hwy. 44)
Unit #G Lecanto, Fl. 34461
Thanks to a generous donation from DancEtc we have 5 dance scholarships from DancEtc. 5 Littles have the opportunity to attend dance lessons starting August 20th, 2012- June 1st, 2013. There are classes for all ages and skill levels. This is first come, first serve, so hurry up and register here!
The only thing that is not covered in the scholarship is cost for costumes for the recital. These can be purchased for a cost of $30-$40, but this may be covered by a sponsor. For further questions please call Jennifer Barber 352-795-3265 or e-mail her at managerdancetc@gmail.com
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Free Bowling 4 Kids
Manatee Lanes
7715 W. Gulf-to-Lake Hwy.
Crystal River, FL
All children 16 yrs. and younger are eligible for two free games of bowling - every day - all summer long!
*** Be sure to check into our FAMILY FUN SAVER for two free games of bowling - every day - for everyone in your family! ***
Click here to sign up for "Free bowling 4 Kids"
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BBBS Match Events (Events listed are coordinated by Big Brothers Big Sisters - staff will be present)
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Thursday, August 9th
Back to School Event
6:00pm-8:00pm
Ernie Wever Park
19473 Youth Drive
Brooksville, FL 34601
Pavillion # 2
Come enjoy games, crafts and a great opportunity to meet and interact with other Bigs and their Littles as we celebrate the last few weeks of summer and the start of a new school year!
We will provide each Little in attendance with a back pack and school supplies to prepare them for the start of school. Your match manager may even be present to say hello and to join in on the fun. Pizza will be served!
Space is limited! Registration will close when full or on Thursday, August 2nd.
Click here to register
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Saturday, August 4
Hernando County Farmer's Market 10:00 am 2450 US 19 (Commercial Way) in the old K-Mart Parking Lot Spring Hill, FL 34606 Fresh veggies and fruit, organic and Amish country food, plants, local honey, herbs, soaps, jams, candy, baked goods, jewelry, crafts, and more. For more information contact, (352) 232-4241 or visit www.hernandocountyfarmersmarket.webs.com.
"Shark Tale" rated (PG) movie
Begins at dusk
Lecanto Community Park
3505 W. Educational Path
Lecanto, FL 4461
Lecanto Community Park. The PG-rated movie begins at dusk. Bring the whole family out to enjoy the fun and free event. Popcorn will be provided: bring blankets or chairs for seating. For more information, contact (352) 527-7540.
Saturday, August 11 Market Day with Art & Treasures - Crystal River 9:00 am 657 N. Citrus Ave Crystal River, FL 34429 Local Produce, Plants, Pantry, Artistic Talent & Vintage Collectibles on the 2nd Saturday of each month. On the Grounds of Heritage Village. For more information, contact (352) 564-1400 or visit www.theshoppesofheritagevillage.com. Saturday, August 18 Children in the Wild 10: 00 am Chinsegut Conservation Center 23212 Lake Lindsey Road Brooksville, FL 34601 (1 mi west of US-41 North on CR-476) Children in the Wild us a wildlife educational program for children ages 3-7. This month's program is "Wildlife Water Safari" Children will explore the water resources for local wildlife and create field notebooks through hands-on activities, games, arts and crafts and more. Pre-registration is requested. For additional information, contact (352) 754-6722 or visit www.MyFWC.com/Chinsegut. Saturday, August 25 Time to Celebrate Running! FOR ALL AGES! 9:00 am Lecanto High School 3810 W Educational Path Lecanto, FL 34461 Pre-Race Packet Pick-Up at Dairy Queen in Crystal River, August 24, 5p.m.-9p.m: 10% of all sales during this span is donated back to LHS' girls'cross country. For more information, contact (352) 746-2334.
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Shopping that Benefits All
We are very proud to say that we have partnered with one of the fastest growing social shopping companies anywhere, Smart Betty. For those of you who haven't heard of them, click here to find out w ho they are. Basically, each day you will be notified by email of different discounts from local merchants that you will be able to take advantage of - all you do is go online and purchase the voucher for the product or service and then redeem it at your convenience! The benefit to you is obvious - great deals on products and services that you already purchase!
Another benefit is that Smart Betty understands the importance of charitable donations. So, for every dollar you spend purchasing Smart Betty vouchers, Smart Betty will give 10% of their earnings back to our charity.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County will receive $1 for every person who signs up for Smart Betty and if we have 200 people sign up, we will get an extra $250! Those who sign up also have a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Carrabbas!
We are extremely excited about our partnership with Smart Betty, as this is something that we feel will benefit everyone! The more people see this, the better for our organization so please forward this email to friends, family and co-workers so that they can also enjoy the savings and help us in our fundraising efforts!
We thank you for your efforts in helping us by spreading the word about us and about Smart Betty!
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Dawgs on the Go
Dawgs on the Go is a small local business who makes the DawggieGoPak®. The paks are the perfect solution for urban professionals and on-the-go suburban parents to properly care for their dogs via a compact, multi-pocket design that attaches to any leash. Dawgs on the Go supports the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters by donating a substantial percent of their proceeds. When you buy a DawggieGoPak® for $14.95, 20% of your purchase will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County! Visit their online store at www.dawggiegopak.com and at check-out, just enter the code: BBBSPC
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| Become a BIG Partner with BBBS! |
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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, suggestion, or would like to would like to make us your Charity of Choice, please contact Donna Mainguth, Executive Assistant/Project Manager: 727-518-8860 ext 261, or DonnaMA@bbbsp.org
Big Perks
Thanks to our supportive community partners, we are able to offer our Bigs and Littles great discounts for local businesses and activities. This is a great way for our Littles to experience activities that they would normally not be able to do. We need your help to expand our offerings! To view a complete list of our Big Perks, visit:www.bbbspc.org/bigperks
If you would like to offer our matches a Big Perk, please contact Christine Battista, Marketing & Communications Coordinator: 727-518-8860 ext 231, or ChristineB@bbbspc.org
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New Home or Phone?Please help us keep our records up to date.
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