September 2024
Hello Friend!
September always takes me back to my school days, and gets me reminiscing about how exciting it was going to be to be able to be with my friends again. I was excited to wear my new school clothes that I purchased with my babysitting money - even if they were corduroys and a long-sleeved shirt, in a school without air-conditioning.
To be able to purchase new school supplies, my family sold sweet corn: 25 cents per dozen or five dozen for $1. It was all hands on deck to load up a rickety wooden trailer with sweet corn. No one could snap those cobs off faster than my mom; she needed several runners to keep up. My brothers would hook the trailer to our old Case tractor and not make any friends as we drove the mile or so on Highway 25.
We would bounce back and forth as we putted along among the weekend traffic, hoping not to lose any corn or paper bags. They would disconnect the trailer, leave me and my sister with a tackle box of change, and take the same route back home, then come and retrieve us at the end of the night - or when we were out of corn. I am reminded of our little money maker when I see corn stands along the side of the road, or the back-to-school supplies in stores. I also think about our kids, hoping that they have what they need to start the school year.
Growing up, one thing we never did was talk about mental health. It wasn’t because we didn’t have any need to, it was because we didn’t even have the words. You just put a smile on and powered forward, for better or worse. I am grateful we are in a place where the words “mental health” are well known, and that there are more resources available.
Even with these resources, growing up today has so many more challenges than it did from my day. And yet, kids have always needed someone in their corner. We know that our kids with mentors have a stronger emotional base and social/emotional development. Long-term benefits include better life outcomes such as higher high school graduation rates, reduced juvenile delinquency, and enhanced career readiness. Our mentors report better life-satisfaction and more joy. It is a win-win for them individually, for their families, and for our community.
Thank you to everyone for making it possible for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota to be here for more than 55 years. Your kindness and belief in our kids make all the difference in the world. And if you see a tractor going a little slower than you'd like down some of our state highways, be patient - you never know who's driving, or what sort of adventure they're headed out on.
With hope and gratitude,
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Jackie S. Johnson
Executive Director
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MEET JIM & JACKSON!
Jim Peitz and Jackson have only been matched since January of this year, and already the two have an inseparable friendship! Jim and Jackson meet at school through the Sauk-Rapids Rice school-based program on a weekly basis. They love to go outside on the playground and build with Legos.
Over the summer the two have attended a few BBBS activities together, and Jackson lights up each time Jim walks through the door! Jackson has already shown such a change in his confidence since meeting Jim. He's also learned that although finding and maintaining friends can be pretty tough sometimes, it’s not impossible. Jim has been a positive friend and reminded Jackson that it is good to be himself and to not be afraid of reaching out to those around him. We can't wait until they're meeting every week again once school starts!
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THANK YOU TO CREW CARWASH!
This month’s Partner Spotlight goes to Crew Carwash! Each year, Crew plans the Crew for Kids Fundraiser, which benefits eight BBBS locations: two in Minnesota, including the Central Minnesota agency, and six in Indiana. The St. Cloud location has participated since opening in 2022, and this year the one-day fundraiser raised nearly $5,000 to support local kids! Thank you to Crew for hosting this fantastic event each year, and to everyone who stopped out to clean their cars throughout the day!
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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WRAPPING UP SUMMER AT SUMMERLAND
Matches raced to beat the weather and get in all the play time they could in late August at Summerland! Go karts, bumper boats, mini golf, and a taco bar were all part of the fun for our Bigs and Littles as they snuck one last night out in together before the school year starts up. A little rain couldn't dampen anyone's spirits!
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WIN TWINS WIN!
A beautiful day at the ballpark, a Minnesota Twins win, and a LOT of hits and runs scored - our matches couldn't have asked for a better Sunday afternoon! Matches and families packed a bus and made the trek to Target Field in early August where they were treated to a 13-7 Twins win over the Chicago White Sox!This was the first trip to Target Field for some of our families, and we were so excited to be a part of that with them. Special thanks to TwinsCare for the tickets and Bill and Mary Ann Maney for sponsoring the bus to get our matches and families from St. Cloud to Minneapolis and back!
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CRUISING AROUND LAKE SAG
Two groups of matches had the opportunity to explore Lake Sag via canoe thanks to Les Voyageurs! This activity was very popular once again as Jack showed everyone the ins and outs of paddling and steering the canoe and water safety, then sent everyone out on the lake. The weather was perfect both nights, and everyone had a great time enjoying the scenery and their time together!
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NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
Nominations are now open for Bigs and Littles of the Year! If you know a Little who has thrived while being a part of our program, or a Big - adult or High School Big - that has gone above and beyond during their time as a mentor - nominate them for an award! Nominations close Friday, Oct. 11. All nominees will be honored at The Big Celebration in April 2025. Nominate a deserving Big or Little here.
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UNITED WAY DAYS OF CARING
The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota office is getting a little sprucing up - and we need your help! The agency is looking for volunteers to help paint several office walls during the 2024 United Way Day(s) of Caring. BBBS is needs help painting several walls in the office from 8 a.m.-noon or 12:30-4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, and from 8 a.m.-noon Friday, Sept. 20. This project is on the United Way site, and volunteer registration closes Friday, Sept. 6, so be sure to sign up to help make the BBBS office look a little fresher this fall!
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BE BIG IN THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR!
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 both the Bigs on Campus initiative and at all six of our school-based locations. Bigs on Campus mentors meet with their mentees twice a month for an hour at a time at St. Cloud State, St. Cloud Technical & Community College, or College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University and help them get accustomed to life on a college campus. School-based matched meet once a week for 30 minutes at the Little's school in St. Cloud, Sartell, Sauk Rapids-Rice, Pierz, Holdingford, or Foley. Click here for more information or to become a Big!
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BBBS YARD SIGNS AVAILABLE
Show your support of BBBS of Central Minnesota and encourage your neighbors to become Bigs with one of our yard signs! Email Community Engagement Coordinator Emmitt Edwards to come pick up a yard sign today or set up a delivery to your home or business. Put up a sign and support kids - it's that easy!
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Khaldoun Ahmad, Daine Billmark, Jenna Binsfeld, Patty Funk (Secretary), Melinda Gau, Isaih Handy, Lee Hurd, Preston Kopel, Jake Krippner, 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), and Christie Schulte. | |
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, Don Watkins, and Vicky Welty.
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