Big Brothers Big Sisters
of San Luis Obispo County
of San Luis Obispo County
February 4, 9121
BIG NEWSLETTER
November 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Big and Little Activities
Fundraisers
Activity Ideas
130+ Things to Do in SLO County
Win A Fabulous Prize
Free Stuff
Announcements
Big Thanks
Dear Match Support Specialist
Matchiversaries
Big and Little Events
·
Fundraisers
Join us for Disco Bowl and Bowl for Kids Sake.
Bowl for Kids Sake is designed as a fun way for Bigs, Littles, parents and community members to come together to raise funds for their favorite mentoring organization and enjoy a day of bowling as our thank you.
So gather your friends and disco garb and start asking friends, teachers, co-workers, family members, and neighbors for donations. With your help, we are going to raise $30,000, so that we can serve as many kids as we did last year.
· Do you have a vehicle you’re no longer using, or have been trying to sell? Consider donating your car! By donating your vehicle, you will help support BBBS & bless others with an affordable car. You won’t have the hassle of advertising or showing your car, and you will receive a tax-deductible receipt. Half the proceeds go to BBBS! More Info? www.MissionCars.com.
·Donate to BBBS with every purchase you make through e-script! Click on "sign up" - Click on Group ID and enter 6150021 in the search field. Then follow the simple process, enter any credit cards or store cards that you use, and BBBS will receive a small portion of every purchase you make with those cards!
Activity Ideas
- Ages 5-13
- Bigs are welcome to attend with your Little.
- Singing, rhythm instruments, music theory and movement to music are included in each class session.
- Info at www.zionslo.com or email Lynne Oliverius.
Stand Up Paddle Board Free Demo Day hosted by Central Coast Stan-up Paddling.
- Offered the second Saturday of every month from 9 to noon
- The next few dates are: August 13th, Sept. 10th, October 8th
- Call (805)395-0410 or email more information
·On the second Saturday of each monthThe SLO Botanical Garden will host FREE children’s activities and a tour of the gardens from 1-3 PM!
·Chess Club Monday “Knights”- Every Monday evening at Panera Bread in Santa Maria (540 E Betteravia) come play chess until closing! Free instruction will be provided and all level players are invited!
·Check out the new farmer's market at Kennedy Club Fitness every Sunday from 10am-1pm. There will be face painting, a bounce house, free samples, and live music!
· Teens can help with Tobacco Stings Program. This is a great way for teens to help stop teen tobacco use as well as helping keep their community safe and smoke free. For more info please contact Amber.
·Do you enjoy working with animals? Try volunteering at Woods Humane Society! Email Steve or call 543-9316 ex. 19.
· Guitars not Guns is an organization that provides guitar lessons to vulnerable youth in our community. They are currently taking applications. For an application, please contact Dale Andersen at 305-7185.
· Do-it-yourself bike maintenance with your Little at the SLO Bike Kitchen! Activities occur on Bike Kitchen on 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month! Then, help out at SLO Farmer's Market by volunteering for their Bike Valet Program. It takes place on Thursday nights from 5:30-9pm. Email Adam or Dan or visit the website for more information.
·Surfing with your Little! A community supporter is offering a 50% discount off of all surfing lessons! Visit the website for more information or email Van!
· One of our fabulous volunteers would love to share the experience of flight with you and your Little. For more information on flights email Bob.
· Share the gift of volunteering with your Little! Volunteer opportunities are available with the Senior Nutrition Program of SLO County. Assist with a variety of tasks while providing a positive impact for the elderly and our community! For more information visit the Senior Nutrition Program of SLO County.
For more activity ideas, check out the other links below.
130+ Things to Do in SLO County
Check out our updated list of 130 Free and Low Cost Activities as well as our new list of Activities for Achievement!
Win a Fabulous Prize
Join us and bring a friend to our quarterly leadership team of Bigs, teen Littles and Parents. Those who join will be entered into a raffle for a fabulous prize. For every friend you bring, your name will be entered again.
The next meeting is January 17th at 5:30-6:30PM
In this meeting we will discuss our 2012 activity calendar.
To learn more contact Sarah
Free/ Low Cost Stuff
·Check out if your Little qualifies for free vision-exams or glasses through VSP's Sight for Students program!
· Women's Empowerment & Self Defense Workshop! FREE classes open to women and Littles ages 12 and up. !
· PERFORMANCE ATHLETICS GYMNASTICS has opportunities for our Littles to take 4 FREE classes with scholarship/reduced price options thereafter. Contact Sarah for your pass.
· Join the Meathead Wrestling Club on scholarship! For more information about the Meathead Wrestling Club and their ride-share program, contact Jeff Barksdale (Club Director) at 805-544-6328 or by email.!
. Free Refurbished Computers are available for Littles through Exploration Station. Call (905) 781-3226 for more information. To donate your computer contact 473-1421.
. Low Cost Dental Care is available to children in the community who need it through La Clinica de Tolosa, a not for profit children's dental clinic. Call (805) 238-5334 for more information.
Announcements
National Mentor Month
We are excited to share that President Obama has proclaimed January as National Mentoring Month. He said: “Every day, mentors help young Americans face the challenges of growing into adulthood. By setting a positive example and sharing their time, knowledge, and experience, mentors play an essential role in preparing our Nation's youth for a bright future. During National Mentoring Month, we celebrate the contributions of all those who cultivate a supportive environment for the next generation...”
We at Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County couldn’t agree more. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication that each of our community, school, and career mentors brings to their protégés and our community. We also thank our volunteer board members, campaigners and donors, who work to ensure our financial success, so that we can serve hundreds of children each year.
As you already know, being involved with the evidence based practices at Big Brothers Big Sisters goes a long way to developing vital assets in our community’s youth. Mentoring has been shown to protect children from the challenges that they face in the world, as well as promote children’s strengths, helping each of our Littles to reach their full potential.
THANK YOU.
We also encourage our Littles and their parents to offer a small gesture of gratitude (see our list of ways to thank your volunteer) to their volunteer Bigs on or before National Thank Your Mentor Day on January 26th.
CPR CLASS
January 20th 9am-1pm. CPR and First Aid Certification class for infants, children and adults.
· You are invited to join our staff as we for a discounted CPR and First Aid calss at our office in SLO.
· Cost is $50.00 per person.
· We have room for 2-6 participants.
· Instructors are American Heart Association Instructors for Health Care Professionals.
· Sign up by calling Roweena at (805) 781-3226
Are you, your Little and/or your Little's parent on Facebook? Contact Angelica to do your monthly or quarterly chats with us through Facebook!
·Join our Program Committee Leadership Team and help plan events and activities or improve the agency - and perhaps win a prize. To learn more contact Sarah.
· Jewelry with our logo is available through Hearts Desire Creations! Please contact Teresa Wickersham at 602-509-4972 or heartsdesirecreations.com.
Big Thanks
We are incredibly grateful for our community partners who helped us throw a holiday extravaganza for 300 children, volunteers and family members this month.
- Thanks to the teachers, students and parents form Teach Elementary School volunteered their beautiful campus and hosted us with fun games, crafts and volunteers.
- Thanks to Cal Poly’s Delta Sigma Pi and Alpha Epsilon, as well as SLO High’s National Honor Society also provided volunteers.
- We appreicate the Chicano Correctional workers donated a lovely meal and SLO Roast Coffee provided warm beverages.
- Big thanks to Performance Athletics, SLO County’s Parks and Recreation Department and Madonna Inn provided fun, educational activities.
- We could not have done it without Cal Poly Student Community Services and Trilogy Central Coast donated over 100 gifts; one for every child.
- Several of our mentors and community members, including Jenny Anthony, Matt Pearl, Gordon Mullin, Jim McEntire AKA Santa and Marissa Cortez contributed supplies and talent to ensure a festive event.
Thank you again
Dear Match Support Specialist/ Asset Champion
Dear Sarah,
My kids and I really appreciate the Bigs who have volunteered for our family. Do you have any ideas on how we can show our appreciation during National Mentoring Month?
Sincerely,
Thankful Parent
Dear Thankful Parent,
We are grateful for your question. Our staff and volunteers have compiled a list of 25 simple, low cost ways that you and your kids can show appreciation for the hard work and dedication that your Bigs offer your family. We encourage you to do some of the items on the list, or make up your own way of thanking the Big in your life and share it with us.
And remember, National Thank Your Mentor Day is January 26th, a great day to show off your gift of thanks.
· Say “thank you”
· Do a cheer
· Do the wave
· Give a hug
· Make a card
· Write a poem
· Sing a thank you song!
· Dedicate a song on the radio
· Text, “You’re awesome!”
· E-mail to say, “We appreciate you!”
· Give a framed photo of your child
· Name something after your Big; a pet, stuffed toy or tree
· Pack snacks for the outing
· Hide a thank you note where your Big will find it
· Invite your Big to have fun with the whole family!
· Share a meal
· Share a special recipe
· Teach a favorite joke
· Play a game together
· Share a family tradition
· Make an art project or bake treats with or for your Big
· Tell your Big about the joys
s/he adds to your child’s life
s/he adds to your child’s life
· Tell your Big about the
positive changes you’ve seen in your child
positive changes you’ve seen in your child
· Make a donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of SLO County in your Big’s name
· Say “THANK YOU!” for being my Big
We look forward to hearing about how it went.
Sincerely,
Sarah