Journey of a Dollar: Step 4, Match Activities & Events
July 31, 2020, Micaela Olson-Macgregor
Your gift makes a BIG impact. Follow the journey of your donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities.
Step 4: Match Activities & Events
Donors help us to provide free activities and events to our Matches including tickets to theater and sporting events, game nights, museum passes and more! These activities, big or small, each are a building block to creating a strong match.
Match Outings
Matches are asked to get together 2-4 times per month in their first year being matched. This may range from going for a bike ride around a park or catching a movie, to baking cookies together or going to Mall of America.
Big Brothers Big Sisters also hosts events for Matches and provides access to activities around the Twin Cities. This takes some of the planning off of Bigs and Littles and gives them opportunities they may not otherwise have on their own!
BBBS Annual Events
Big Brother Jon and Little Brother Drevion have been matched for eight years. Over the course of their Match, they have enjoyed attending BBBS-hosted events and meeting other Matches.
“My favorite BBBS-hosted event each year is the cookout and ballgame with the St. Paul Saints. It’s great to see BBBS staff and so many Bigs and Littles in one place. It energizes me, and has given Drevion and I something to talk about – that we’re part of something much bigger – as we munch our hot dogs while watching the Saints in action.” said Big Brother Jon.
“I think it’s important that BBBS hosts events for Matches. While my Little may not be too social at these events, I think he appreciates seeing other Littles and knowing there’s other Littles out there.” shared Jon. “I’ve personally enjoyed making connections with other Bigs as well as BBBS staff. And for many Bigs, a free BBBS-hosted event is certainly a great resource to tap into.”
Jon, Big Brother
These events are not possibly without the support of donors and our corporate sponsors.
Learn more about our BBBS-hosted events and see some awesome pictures of our Matches!
Tickets & Activities
Our Big App allows us to communicate ideas of activities around the Twin Cities with our Bigs. This may include BBBS discounts at local attractions like the Science Museum, SkyZone, or Hennepin Theatre Trust. We also share things that are happening in the community like art fairs, volunteer opportunities, Open Streets festivals, or free museum days.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities also receives generous donations of tickets to sporting events, theater productions, the Minnesota State Fair – even the opera! We are able to pass these incredible opportunities along to Matches for a fun outing.
“Your gift makes all this possible. I see many of these events fill up quickly. It shows these events are popular and needed. Thank you!” said Jon.
Mentoring in a time of social distancing
This time of social distancing has changed how our typical in-person mentoring occurs. Bigs and Littles are still staying in touch virtually or through socially-distanced activities.
BBBS is hosting virtual game nights for Matches and is providing regular updates to Bigs and Littles on how to stay connected! #KeepKidsConnected
- Try It Together Tuesday blog series
- “20 New Ideas for Match Activities While Social Distancing”
- “44 Virtual Match Activity Ideas to Try While Social Distancing”
- Art ideas on the Free Arts Instagram feed
What’s next?
Curious what happens next? Follow along at BigsTwinCities.org/JourneyOfADollar.
Inspired and would like to make a gift? Visit BigsTwinCities.org/Donate.
