HAPPY NEW YEAR!
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, a devastating disaster season, political unrest, and more challenges, to witness your outstanding generosity is humbling. The work that we do at Big Brothers Big Sisters would not be possible without this support!
Whether it's building confidence, improving grades, or creating better relationships between Littles, their families, and schoolmates, together, we are helping mid-south youth realize their potential.
Even in the wake of all of the challenges we face now in the year 2021, we are excited to see what the future holds for our organization and the Mid-South we love.
As we begin this new year, we realize that people throughout our great city and across the nation have made resolutions with plans for a better. Your list may include connecting with friends and loved ones, practicing self-care, planning a vacation, or just spending more time doing the things you love. We hope that you will also include investing in a child's life- particularly mentoring a Little.
January is National Mentoring Month. It is also the month that we invite the public to answer the call of service in honor of one of the great service leaders the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We invite you and at least one person you know to become a Big. The first step is attending a virtual orientation session (register here.)
For just two hours per month or $2 per day, you can change the trajectory of a child's future forever.
The Be A Big and Donate buttons are listed below, so feel free to click the links to enroll or donate. Feel free to follow our links to meet a few of our Bigs. I hope that their stories will inspire you, just as they have inspired me.
Stay healthy and safe.
Sincerely,
Susan
Susan George,
Executive Director
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COOKIES, COCOA & CARS:
Littles attended the annual holiday party- Cookies, Cocoa & Cars. on Saturday, December 5th. The 2020 holiday party was much different than the previous year's event but, there was still lots for fun to be had. Over Two hundred and fifty children received decorated stockings stuffed with gifts. The parents received the BBBSMS Hub-of-Service which included helpful COVID-19 support information from us and our partners.
Thank you to Briarcrest High School, South City Community Resources Center, the Shelby County Clerk's Office, Women's Foundation of Greater Memphis, Porter Leath- Birth to Books program, and Dress for Success Memphis.
Additional thanks goes to our great volunteers,- Clerk Wanda Halbert, Karen Boozer, Tony Franklin, Percy Holiday, Elijah Colter, Hannah Colter, Deborah Turner, Caroline George, Jasmine Turner, Jennifer Turner, Biandon Young, and Bill Cash. Their gift of time is greatly appreciated.
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JANUARY IS MENTORING MONTH...
Save the Dates!:
1.7.2021 - Kick off of "I Am a Big Campaign"
1.11.2021 - BBBSMS I Am A BIG Deal Campaign opens (Big recognition campaign)
1.18.2021 - BBBSMS Drive-Thru BINGO Event (Community engagement/recruitment event)
1.20.2021 - Grizzlies Foundation Recruitment Event (Virtual recruitment program)
1.21.2021 - The Go Big Tennessee Webinar- (Statewide recruitment amongst five BBBS TN agencies)
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WAYS TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION: |
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Matching Fund Program:
You can maximize your impact in the community if your company has a matching fund program. Did you know that 78% of employees are unaware of this special gift and only 7% actually submit a matching gift request. Contact your HR office to inquire whether your company has a matching fund program. or review your company's status by following this link at Matching Funds.
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BBBSMS Amazon Smile:
Defend the Potential each child has within them as you purchase on AmazonSmile. Chose BBBSMS by going to the AmazonSmile.com site. During your first visit, you are asked to choose a charity. Search for "Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mid-South, Inc." and proceed to use Amazon as usual and BBBSMS receives a percentage of each purchase.
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Kroger Community Rewards Program:
Think Mentoring and Big Brothers Big Sisters as you shop groceries at your neighborhood Kroger. Select our agency as your Kroger Community Reward charity of choice. Our community reward number is UU345. Kroger donates a percentage of your purchase to our organization.
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VIRTUAL ORIENTATION INFO SESSION:
BBBSMS next Virtual Information Session is Saturday, 1/9/2021 at 9:30 am. January is National Mentoring Month and we are inviting anyone that has ever thought about being a mentor or enrolling a children to attend.
Our goal is to have at least 20 individuals attend the event to become a Big.
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a mentor or enrolling child, use the following contacts for RSVP today. Help us move Littles off the wait list!
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Thank You
to our Holiday Artist:
Thank you to our Littles Kammie (6) and TJ (7) for creating our holiday art. Look forward to seeing more creations from our little artists.
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UPCOMING STORIES:
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Leadership Academy Classes for 8th - 12th grade Littles coming in February-Union Pacific*Women's Foundation*Grizzlies Foundation*Hollis and Burns Scholarship Fund
- Salute to Littles and Bigs of the 2021 Graduating Class
- Summer Group Sessions
- Hollis and Burns and William "Bill" Platten Scholarship Funds
- School-Based Mentoring in the wake of COVID-19
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Please stay in contact with us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and through our emails and text messages. Stay up to date on continuing advancements and inspiring mentoring moments. Until then, Happy New Year! |
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Mission Statement: Create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mid-South, Inc.
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