www.bbbsaz.org | March/April 2015 1

UPDATE!THE

BIG community • mentoring • family • youth development

big brothers big sisters of central arizona

Bowl for Kids Sake pg. 3

60th Anniversary Gala pg. 2

Angel and Gina pg. 5

march/april

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60th Anniversary Gala Happy 60th Anniversary BBBSAZ!

BBBSAZ is turning 60 and celebrating in a BIG way on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort and Spa. Our Lego® brick-themed event will recognize outstanding community volunteers such as Larry Fitzgerald and generous supporters who have forever impacted the lives of more than 50,000 local children over the past 60 years.

Cox Communications, KEO Marketing and Sunstate Equipment Company officially kicked off the 60th Anniversary celebration by each making a $20,000 contribution as BBBSAZ’s 60th Anniversary year-long presenting sponsors. Gala sponsors, National Bank of Arizona and Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center, have also generously added to the evening’s total corporate support to ensure a successful and memorable evening.

Event Co-Chairs and Co-Emcees, Deborah Bateman, Vice Chairman National Bank of Arizona and Jathan Segur, EVP, Director of Wealth Strategies plan to make this event more than memorable with chances to enter the money grab machine for cash prizes as well as trips to Disneyland and LegoLand. Other novel entertainment includes X-Box Stations, mystery box deals, enjoying dessert before dinner, and having a special “Big” and “Little” match as dinner guests at every table.Limited table sponsorships are available for $2,500 and individual seats for $250 are nearly sold out. Place your reservation to this historical event by contacting BBBSAZ Development Director, Jessica Whitney

at 480-236-6476 or jwhitney@bbbsaz.org. For online reservations visit bbbsaz.org/gala.

Match at Harkins Movie Event

About usMission: Our mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better.

Vision: Our vision is that all children achieve success in life. By partnering with parents/guardians, volunteers and others in the community we are Accountable for each child in our program achieving:

• Higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships

• Avoidance of risky behaviors• Educational success

Grant Update Recently, BBBSAZ has been awarded grants from the following:

American AirlinesSeason for SharingJohn C. Lincoln GIVES

Volunteer Appreciation Week

Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 12-18th, and as we say thanks to our terrific volunteers we also want to encourage others to take action. Our community has the power to make a difference. Help us end our 300-kid waiting list! Become a volunteer. Get others involved or refer the best guy you know to our programs. Volunteer today at www.bbbsaz.org/big

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Upcoming Events

Bowl for Kids’ Sake

Rent A Center March 30 - April 30, 2015

Rent-A-Center will host an in-store fundraising campaign at each of its locations throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Customers will be asked to make a $1 (or more) donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters and sign their name to a Spring Egg Paper PIN UP that will be displayed in the store.

At the end of the time period (March 30 – April 30, 2015), Rent-A-Center will collect the total amount contributed from each participating retail store. The total contribution will be presented to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America by June 30, 2015.

Chuck E CheeseNational Night Out, April 14, 2015

Chuck E. Cheese’s and Big Brothers Big Sisters are teaming up in a BIG way! All year long, Chuck E. Cheese’s will be opening the doors for BIGS and LITTLES to eat and play at special rates at all participating locations. April 14th will highlight this exciting partnership with a National Night Out from 5-9pm, so come out and show your support! Chuck E. Cheese’s is an official national partner and preferred destination for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona.

Bowl for Kids’ SakeCommunity Bowl - June 13, 2015

The Big Brothers Big Sisters Team invites you to join us as we Bowl for Kids’ Sake! This Valley-wide party brings together our Big and Little Matches, agency staff and community members for an exciting event full of food, fun and TONS of bowling! Teams will each have six members and will be asked to fundraise a minimum of $600 (or $100 per person) from friends, family and co-workers. All bowlers who fundraise $100 will receive a Bowl for Kids’ Sake shirt, shoe rental, pizza, soda and 2 hours of bowling during our Community Bowl celebration. The 2015 Community Bowl will be held Saturday June 13, 2015 at

AMF Union Hills Lanes (West Valley Location) and Tempe Village Lanes (East Valley Location.) Register today at www.bbbsaz.org/bfks2015

Annual Match Event at Phoenix Zoo Saturday, April 11, 2015 Register by Friday, April 3, 2015

The Annual Match Event at the Phoenix Zoo is from 11:00 am-1:30 pm. Matches are asked to check in at the BBBS registration table between 11:00-11:30 am. Matches are able to stay at the zoo after 1:30 pm. Lunch will be provided by Port of Subs between 11 am-1 pm. Price is $5 per person. Please inform your Program Specialist if you already have a zoo membership. Remember, you’ll be spending the day outside! We advise that matches consider bringing sunscreen, cold water, and a hat or umbrella. Water fountains are available throughout the zoo and water is also available for purchase at any Zoo concessions stand.

Please register for the event on the Think Big website. Hope to see you there!

Mentor Meet Up - Internet Safety Training Thursday, April 23, 2015

Please join Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona as we host a training and meet up session about safe use of the internet. Parents and volunteers are invited to this learning opportunity, provided by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

Date: Thursday, April 23rd, 2015 | Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm | Location: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona1010 E. McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85006 - Lower Level 4

Please RSVP to your Program Specialist by Friday, April 17th, 2015. If you do not know who your Program Specialist is and you would like to RSVP, please call 602-264-9254 and ask for a Program Director.

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Match at Castles N’ Coasters

Shout Outs Access

BIG Thanks to Access Information Management and their national team for stepping up to support the kids in our community! Access helped put together over 200 bags for our Littles and they also donated $5,000 to support our programs!

Have Fun using Think Big!

Only half of our matches are currently using Think Big. Activities are designed with you and your Little in mind. Think Big focuses on 5 key areas: Education/Career Development, Risk Avoidance, Healthy Living, Community Involvement, and Cultural Experiences. We encourage all Bigs to consider using the Think Big website. Find your next outing today! Experience new things with your Little, and most importantly, HAVE FUN!! | www.thinkbigaz.org

Program Update Youth Served From 7/1/2014

Total Youth Served : 1463New Matches Made: 451Current Active Matches: 1,071

Midwestern University

Students at Midwestern University hosted a “Big for a Day” Event on their campus. 50+ students participated, with our wait-listed Littles who enjoyed food, games, and it was a nice reminder that they are not forgotten about!

Magic Makers Club

Magic Makers are a group of dedicated supporters of BBBSAZ. As we celebrate 60 years of service to thousands of kids in our community, we have created a special club in honor of those donors who believe in the power and magic of mentoring. Join us today! Call Karen Staley, Vice President of Development and Marketing at 602-393-4120.

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Match Story

Gina and Angel at Paul’s Car Wash

Gina and Angel

Big Sister Gina and her Little Sister, Angel, met when Angel was eight years old and in the 4th grade. Angel was animated, hyper, smiley, bubbly, and joyful. Being matched to Gina exposed Angel to experiences she never thought possible.

Fast forward 10+ years and Angel is attending Grand Canyon University, double majoring in the same fields of study as her amazing Big Sister!

In a recent college assignment, Angel wrote this about Gina, “I met Gina through a wonderful program which many have heard of it, but very few understand – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona.

Being matched with Gina as my big sister has taught me so much and has changed my life drastically. She has taught me that even with the slightest smile and biggest heart you are able to look past all the negative in life and see that things happen for a reason. And we met for a reason.”

Angel and Gina, originally matched in 2003, take time to tell us how they’re still connected:

Q: Gina, do you and Angel still spend time together? If so, doing what?

A: We see each other about once a month now, usually have lunch together or take in a movie. She sends her papers for college to me to review and I help her with some of her assignments.

Q: What is Angel studying?

A: Angel is a sophomore at Grand Canyon University, studying Justice Studies and Psychology. She is planning to double major, completing both degrees in 4 years. Interestingly enough, those were my fields of study in college, too. :)

Q: What does Angel want to do/become once she is graduated from college?

A: She isn’t sure yet. Possibly a forensic psychologist or working with the law in other areas. One thing she is sure about is she wants to make a difference and help people.

Q: Did Angel apply/receive any scholarships? If so, explain. A: Through the partnership with BBBSAZ and Washington Street Foundation, Angel earned a $20,000 scholarship over 4years. She also applied for and received the William and Anne Grace Foundation scholarship for $25,000 over 4 years. She was awarded a few smaller scholarships through the University based on her high school grades. (WOOHOO!!! Way to Go Angel!)

Q: What does Angel like the most about college? What advice does she have for other Littles considering college?

A: “The most I like about college is being able to grasp the different learning experiences along with the environment around me. College is an eye opening experience and I have enjoyed every single bit of it. The advice I would give to Littles that are considering attending college would be to work hard, get good grades and most importantly talk to your Big about your desire to attend college. With the help of my Big I was able to understand so much more since I was unable to ask my parent.” -Angel

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1010 E. McDowell Rd. Suite 400 Phoenix, AZ 85006www.bbbsaz.org • 602-264-9254 • TTY 800-367-8939 • facebook.com/helparizonayouth