May 2024
Hello Friend!
Spring is in full swing, and it's blooming with excitement. Just recently, we hosted our Big Raffle and online Big Auction, and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our community. Every donation, raffle ticket sold, auction bid placed, and grant secured translates into helping kids by providing a safe, caring mentor in their lives.
Our program operates on a principle of inclusivity and accessibility. We firmly believe that no child should face barriers to accessing mentorship, which is why we do not charge any program fees or require our matches to fundraise. This season of renewal reminds us of the power of collective action and the positive impact we can make when we come together to support our youth.
On April 24, we hosted our Big Celebration. New this year was a pre-event reception with our esteemed Legacy Circle members, those who are supporting our endowment, and dedicated 1969 Society members who have invested in our program for 10 years or more.
The Big Celebration is an extraordinary evening dedicated to showcasing the transformative power of mentorship and celebrating the remarkable connections between our Bigs and Littles. It's a time to shine a spotlight on our Bigs and Littles of the Year as well as award more than $40,000 in scholarships.
Jenna Scapanski, the 2024 BriAnna Kruzel Growing Up Big Award recipient, stated, “Big Brothers Big Sisters has had a profound impact on my life, providing me with invaluable mentorship and guidance that has helped shaped me into the person I am today.”
We are in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year, and we are experiencing what national trends indicate, that it is even more challenging to raise the funds and engage volunteers than prior to the pandemic. However, certain facts remain:
- We are a solid investment.
- We have proven results.
- We are needed. Our kids, both our Littles and High School Bigs, are indicating a higher level of anxiety and depression.
Please consider a gift to our program to help us help kids. It's the only way we can make it happen.
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Jackie S. Johnson
Executive Director
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MEET TERRAN AND CULLEN!
Terran Bursch and Cullen were both nervous the first time they met. Terran remembers not knowing what to expect: what would his Little Brother be like, and would they have anything in common?
Now, more than two years later, Terran and Cullen have a brother-like relationship, and they both eagerly await their weekly meetings together during the school year. There’s no shortage of things to talk about or games to play, and the only concern is when they’ll get to hang out again.
Terran was a sophomore at Foley High School when he was matched with Cullen, who was in first grade at the time. Their first few meetings together were quiet – Terran did most of the talking. He talked about hunting, being on the lake, or just spending time outside. Cullen shared a few stories about similar outdoor memories he had with his family, but then he got quiet again.
After a few quiet meetings, Terran and Cullen were playing a computer game, and Terran realized that Cullen was very competitive – and very talkative when he was feeling competitive. From there, it was game on for the duo. Each week, Terran suggested they play Jenga – Cullen’s favorite – or various card games to bring out Cullen’s competitive side, and the relationship blossomed.
This connection is exactly what Janelle, Cullen’s mom, was looking for when she signed her son up with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Her oldest son had been a part of the program, so they knew how valuable it could be, and Janelle wanted that same experience for Cullen. Cullen’s dad, Joe, is in the military, and Janelle could see that Cullen needed someone with high energy and similar interests for Cullen to spend time with.
Terran has filled that role of mentor, friend, and support system better than Janelle could ever have imagined. Through playing games together, learning new sports, or just talking about life, Terran has become a special place for Cullen.
“This relationship has given Cullen something of his own. It’s not coordinated by Mom, it’s not scripted family fun – it’s grown to be genuine for Cullen, and was from the start with Terran stepping into this act of service for others,” Janelle said.
After nearly two years of meeting in school, Terran worked with Cullen’s family in Summer 2023 to set up a plan for the two of them to meet outside of school at BBBS-sponsored activities. First they went canoeing together, and later in the summer they spent an evening at Summerland. Cullen enjoyed sitting back and drinking a Mountain Dew while Terran did all the paddling at canoeing, and at Summerland Cullen seemed to especially enjoy splashing Terran when they collided in the bumper boats.
Now, school is back in session and the pair is back to playing games, learning new sports, and talking about life. Janelle is especially grateful for Cullen’s relationship with Terran this year as his dad is deploying overseas in early 2024 for nearly a year. Terran understands the added importance of his weekly meetups with Cullen during this time, and hopes to continue to grow his relationship with Cullen even after graduation in May.
“It is a privilege to be helping someone think of something other than their dad being away for that long,” said Terran, who was the recipient of a Federated Challenge for Kids Scholarship in 2024. “I hope that I can continue to do good work with (Cullen) and set the bar high for him … and hopefully still be in contact after graduation.”
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MEET ALLIE AND ADDISON!
When Allie Margarian was matched with her Little Sister, Addison, in April 2021, she knew that they had been paired together based on their shared love of soccer, being active, and having fun.
What Allie didn’t realize at that initial meeting, but quickly came to realize, was that she and Addison also shared an inquisitive view of the world. Since that first meeting, Allie has grown to understand that their shared inquisitive views bring her and Addison together and allow them to grow as a match – and as people.
Now, Allie is the 2024 Central Minnesota High School Big Sister of the Year and the 2024 Minnesota High School Big Sister of the Year.
Addison’s mom, Erin, enrolled her in Big Brothers Big Sisters when she was in the third grade. Addison has two brothers and four male cousins, and Erin realized her daughter needed another female role model in her life.
In the year and a half since they’ve been matched, it’s clear that Allie’s relationship with Addison has become an important outlet for her to share her thoughts and feelings.
When they were first matched, Allie and Addison played a lot of games together indoors and spent their time talking and learning about one another. They learned that they both love soccer and have played almost their whole lives, and that neither one likes homework.
When spring arrived and Allie and Addison were able to get outside and expend their energy while continuing to learn more about each other, their relationship thrived. They played Lava Monster and tag, and used those games to cement their friendship.
Allie was nervous when the school year ended just a few months after their initial match. Would they lose contact, and have to start the process all over again in the fall with getting to know one another and re-gaining that trust? But when they met up at a St. Cloud Rox baseball game with other matches from the agency in July, her worries were gone: Addison was the same talkative, creative, laughter-filled girl that Allie had said goodbye to a few weeks earlier.
That mid-summer meeting helped boost Allie’s confidence in both herself as a mentor and in her match with Addison. Allie said watching Addison continue to grow in self confidence made her realize how important this match and their time together was not only to Addison, but to Allie as well.
Erin has noticed the importance of the match as well. With Allie’s encouragement, Addison is more involved in sports – and she gets so excited when she knows that Allie will be in the stands at her games in Sartell, cheering her on. She has also improved her relationship with her brothers, and developed important communication skills.
Allie knows that the next year may be challenging for both herself and Addison as they transition to new schools (intermediate to middle school for Addison and high school to college for Allie), but that standing side by side, they have nothing to fear and they will face these new challenges and unknowns together.
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Nick Achen and Joseph are!
Meet Nick Achen and Joseph! They are our newest match in the Pierz school district. Joseph is very passionate about farming, and Nick's family has a background in farming, so they had plenty to talk about right away! We are always looking for adult Bigs in our school-based programs, so we were excited to welcome Nick at Pierz.We can't wait to see all the fun things Nick and Joseph do together and watch them grow as a match! As you are considering being a Big, check out our current list of new Matches.
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THANK YOU, DAYTA, TKI, & DEERWOOD BANK!
This month’s Partner Spotlight goes to Dayta, TKI, and Deerwood Bank! All three of these local businesses and partners of BBBS of Central Minnesota bought raffle tickets in bulk for their employees - and TKI won three of the 10 cash prizes! Their support through ticket sales ensured that this year's Big Raffle would be a success, and helped us raise funds to support each of our matches.
We are grateful to all our Community Partners. Check out these lists, and the next time you are at that business or organization, please thank them for standing with kids!
BBBS of Central Minnesota is always looking for businesses to host or sponsor match activities. If you or your business are willing to sponsor or host a match activity, contact Jackie Johnson at 320-258-4510 or Jackie@BigDefenders.org.
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TWOLVES TAKE ON THE HAWKS
On April 12, matches and their families loaded up a bus and headed to Minneapolis to watch the Timberwolves take on the Atlanta Hawks! This was the first time at a Timberwolves game for many of our Littles, and the arena was packed to watch the Wolves, who are currently third in the NBA Western Conference. It was an exciting game, and the Wolves beat the Hawks 109-106! Special thanks to Aaron Hammer of Hammer & Associates for covering the cost of the bus for everyone to get to the game, and to the Timberwolves for helping our agency secure 50 tickets for our matches!
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CELEBRATING ANOTHER BIG YEAR
Matches, scholarship winners, families, board and advisory council members, and supports of BBBS of Central Minnesota gathered to celebrate another BIG year for the agency! Our Bigs and Littles of the Year were honored along with the 2024 Growing Up Big Award winner, sponsored by Vince and Lori Mohs, and winners of the agency's three scholarships: Dahlias Alongside Grand Lake, BriAnna Kruzel Memorial Scholarship, and the Federated Challenge for Kids Scholarships. It was a fun night celebrating everyone - thanks to PCI and APH for sponsoring the event and making it possible!
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ESPORTS ARENA TOUR
Earlier this month, Chase with the St. Cloud State Esports program opened up the Esports Arena in the Atwood Underground so matches could check everything out. The Arena has PC gaming, customizable lighting, a broadcasting booth and equipment, and more, and everyone had a great time playing a few games and seeing how the Huskies Esports team is set up when they're competing.
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PLANT SALE TO BENEFIT BBBS
If you're in the market for plants this spring, head to the home of Andy and Teresa Knoblauch for a spring plant sale! From 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 10-11, Andy - a member of the BBBS Advisory Council and former board members - and Teresa are selling plants of all kinds, and donating 50 percent of the proceeds to BBBS of Central Minnesota. More than 40 varieties of perennials, hostas, grasses, tomatoes, peppers, and more will be available for sale. The sale will be at 2248 Orchid Loop in St. Cloud. Thank you to Andy and Teresa for supporting BBBS!
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BIGS ON CAMPUS NEEDS YOUR HELP
Have you ever thought about being a Big? Do you know someone who would be a great Big? BBBS of Central Minnesota is looking for mentors to be a part of the Bigs on Campus initiative at St. Cloud State, St. Cloud Tech & Community College, and the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University. Meet with your mentee twice a month for an hour at a time at SCSU, SCTCC, or CSB/SJU and help them get accustomed to life on a college campus! Click here for more information or to sign up to be part of the Bigs on Campus program!
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SUPPORT BBBS WHEN YOU SHOP!
Every time you shop, your spare change can help to support local youth! When you sign up today to donate on the BBBS of Central Minnesota website, you can round up every purchase on the credit card of your choosing. Every time you swipe that card, the total is rounded up to the nearest dollar - and that extra change stays right here in Central Minnesota! Your extra change could make a BIG difference to local youth - give it a try!
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Khaldoun Ahmad, Daine Billmark, Jenna Binsfeld, Debbie Clausen, Patty Funk (Secretary), Melinda Gau, Isaih Handy, Lee Hurd, Courtney Kunkel (Treasurer), Bill Martin-Chaffee (DEI Officer), Lori Mohs, Mardi Noyes, Emmanuel Oppong, Chris Owen, Curran Poganski, Jason Primus, Rick Roehl (Vice Pres.),
Alex Schoephoerster (President), Christie Schulte, and Vicky Welty (Past Pres.).
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Barb Anderson, Mimi Bitzan, Mark Coborn, Joe Francis, Keith Julson, Lori Kloos, Andy Knoblauch,
Shelly Bauerly Kopel, John Mahowald, Mike Markman, Gary Marsden, Vince Mohs, Steve Sauer,
Kurt Scepaniak, Joyce Schlough, John Schnettler, Peter Spaniol, Eric Stalboerger, Perian Stavrum,
Mark Traut, Joan Vincent, Bob Walter, and Don Watkins.
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