BIGS BULLETIN, Read about a 39 year relationship still going strong

I've just come back from the Big Brothers Big Sisters national conference. Did you know that President Obama met the national Bigs of the Year? Our own Bigs of the Year (listed in the left column below) are just as valuable to us!

From new national research presented, Littles say the biggest barriers they face are bad influences, inadequate schooling, drugs and unsafe neighborhoods. Bigs said their top concerns for their Littles were about education and negative influences. More than 4 out of 5 Bigs said their experience changed the way they look at the challenges that at-risk youth face and 82% said their experience leaves them feeling they wish they could do more. Littles said in focus groups that their Bigs made a tangible difference in their lives, a feeling that was shared by the Bigs and also found in the quantitative survey results. Visit our website for the full report.

This research underscores the value of what we - volunteers, donors, and staff - do together every day. Thank you for joining us!

Brooke Frost

Executive Director

Waiting for a Big...

Louis, Age 10

Madera County

If you like playing video games, watching scary movies, learning new things or reading mystery books then Louis might be the perfect Little Brother for you.

Louis lives with his mother and has two siblings who have their own Bigs. He can't wait to have one of his own.

He would like someone to do guy stuff with - car shows, museums, go to the movies and eat yummy food like tuna, watermelon and chocolate cake (not all together of course).

Louis tells our staff that he would like to be a police officer when he grows up. Maybe you're the right person help him achieve this dream?

For more information about being a Big to someone like Louis, CLICK HERE

Looking for ways to make a difference for our Littles?

Unfortunately, not everyone has the ability to be a Big, but that doesn't mean there aren't other ways you can be a part of helping our Littles reach their full potential. Big Brothers Big Sisters is dependent not only on our volunteers, but on donated funds as well. Here are a few easy ways you can get involved:

Save Mart S.H.A.R.E.S
Using a card provided to you by Big Brothers Big Sisters, 3% of your purchase at Save Mart, S-Mart Foods, Food Maxx or Lucky will be donated to our organization

Biddees

Visit www.biddees.com and get gift cards from places like Target, Costco, Starbucks and Amazon at less than face value. Select Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California as your beneficiary organization and a portion of your purchase will be donated

American Vintage Thrift Donation Bins

Donate your gently used clothing and household items in one of the Blue Bin locations located throughout Fresno and Clovis and a portion of the resale of your items is donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters

Frazee Paint

Doing some painting around the house or office? Shop at Frazee Paint using a card provided to you by Big Brothers Big Sisters and earn a 3-7% discount on your total purchase with 5% of your purchase donated to our organization

Certified Ad Services

For the month of July, Certified Ad Services will be donating 5% of all large format printing orders to our organization. To place your order, give them a call at (559) 233-1981 or visit their website.

Fresno Grizzlies Game

Join our Bigs and Littles as they watch the Grizzlies take on the Las Vegas 51s. We will debut our "Text to Give" campaign where fans can text a $5 donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters while they watch the game. Visit their website for ticket information.

Fresno County Federal Credit Union

Are you a member of Fresno County Federal Credit Union? If so, transfer your paper statement to an electronic statement this month and $1 will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Click here for more info.

American Express
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has advanced to the second round of voting for AmEx's "Take Part! Member's Project." Click here and vote for us to win a $200,000 donation.

You can also donate directly to Big Brothers Big Sisters on our website with a one time or recurring donation that will directly benefit the children we serve.

For more information about the above information, contact Shauna Goodman at (559) 268-2447 or sgoodman@bigs.org

Staff Spotlight