Rodman Ride – Postponed until Saturday October 1, 2011

The Rodman Ride for Kids, originally scheduled for Saturday, September 24, 2011, has been postponed until Saturday, October 1, 2011, due to the inclimate weather that is anticipated for this coming weekend.  The schedule of events for the 24th will be identical to what will now take place on the 1st.  Please contact our office with any questions at 508-752-7868. 

Volunteer Appreciation Day 2011

On Saturday August 6th, about 30 matches met with the BBBSCM staff for the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Day. At Camp Resolute in Bolton, MA together “Bigs,” and “Littles,” had the chance to go swimming, boating, and play games

with each other. A cookout also provided the matches a great way to interact with other matches hearing stories and experiences. It was a great way to bring everyone together for a day of fun and games. Thank you to all who were involved, it was a great success.

Unum ‘Bigs/Littles’ Starting Nine!

On July 15, nine Big Brothers Big Sisters’ matches from the Central Mass/Metrowest area helped throw out the first pitch at the Worcester Tornadoes Game at Fitton Field, in an evening sponsored by Unum.

Unum, one of BBBS’ largest corporate partners, held an essay contest where Littles had the opportunity to answer several questions about their friendship with their Big.  The company also sponsored a pregame BBQ that matches were able to attend.  During the game, Bigs and Littles enjoyed fun games and activities while watching the Tornadoes cruise to victory.

Each Big and Little also received a Tornadoes jersey with their name on the back as a way to remember the night. BBBS would like to thank Unum for their continued support of BBBS’ programs!

Macy’s Shop for a Cause Event

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass/Metrowest partners with Macy’s for 6th annual Shop for a Cause What:  Save 25% off at Macy’s Where: Online or at any Macy’s Locations When: Saturday, August 27, 2011 Why: To directly support BBBS How: Purchase a 25% off pass for $5 from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass/Metrowest. (You may purchase an unlimited amount of passes)

Contact  one of our two Offices:  Worcester Office:  484 Main Street. Suite 360, Worcester, MA, 01608 Phone:(508)752-7868 Framingham Office: 4 Franklin Commons, Framingham, MA 01702 Phone: (508) 879-7762

Macy’s has provided  BBBS with shopping passes to sell for $5 each. The organization will keep 100% of every ticket it sells. The more passes BBBS sells, the more money it will raise!  These passes can be used at any Macy’s location throughout the area. Macy’s Shop for a Cause is a unique one-day-only shopping event created to support local charities’ fundraising efforts, which has helped raised more than $38 million for charities across the country since 2006. How to Buy a Pass: 1. Mail a Check to our Worcester Office and BBBS will mail your pass(es) to you.  2. Stop by either our Framingham or Worcester office to purchase your pass(es) in person starting August 8th. Use this 25% coupon at Macy’s Stores to stock up on: Back to School clothes Bedding Dorm supplies Jewelry Kitchen Appliances Home Decor Makeup You will also be eligible to win a $500 gift card, no purchase necessary.

August FREE Fun Fridays!

In the last week of July, August is just around the corner, as is the ongoing Free Fun Fridays sponsored by The Highland Street Foundation. Here is a list of the last month’s activities:

August 5th

• Institute of Contemporary Art (Boston)
• Cape Cod Children’s Museum (Mashpee)
• Springfield Museums (Springfield)
• Concord Museum (Concord)

August 12th

• JFK Library & Museum (Boston)
• Arnold Arboretum (Jamaica Plain)
• Tanglewood – BSO (Lenox)*
• Stone Zoo (Stoneham)

August 19th

• Boston Harbor Islands (Boston) *
• Children’s Museum (Easton)
• USS Constitution Museum (Charlestown)
• Basketball Hall of Fame (Springfield)

August 26th

• Old Sturbridge Village (Sturbridge)
• New Repertory Theatre (Watertown)*
• Berkshire Museum (Pittsfield)
• Ecotarium (Worcester)

*See website for details on these events

Check out www.highlandstreet.org for further information!

Coming Soon – Rodman Ride 2011

Join a Team or even Start Your Own!

Have you registered for this year’s Rodman Ride? Do you know some one who has participated in the Ride before? They might be part of a team you could join. There are many organizations that form teams to ride and raise money together. If you are looking to start your own team, this is a great way to build community at your work, for your church, or at your school while raising money for a great cause. If you visit the website ride.kintera.org, you can FORM A TEAM or JOIN AN EXISTING TEAM. Please register soon as spaces fill up fast! If you aren’t up for riding, but still interested in giving, there is also the option to MAKE A DONATION directly to one of the affiliated Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass/Metrowest Teams.

Suggestions on Soliciting Donations

Asking for money might seem like a daunting task, but fundraising isn’t as bad as you might think. The first thing you can do it work our your letter to send to your family, friends, co-workers, long lost relatives, anyone you can think of who might be interested in the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Writing the letter isn’t too hard – just say what you are doing and what it matters to you and your friends, family, and co-workers will be just as generous as you are. And after you have sent out your letter, don’t be afraid to talk it up. You would be surprised how powerful “word of mouth” can be! Remember to set a goal for yourself or your team and keep talking about it, you never know who might be interested.

Rodman Ride – Saturday September 24, 2011

Save the Date for Big Brothers Big Sisters’ biggest fundraiser, the Rodman Ride for Kids on Saturday, September 24, 2011. Last year, with great support we raised over $95,000. This year we hope to exceed this amount. There are many ways to get involved in this year’s Ride: -  Register to ride your bike with our BBBS of Central Mass/Metrowest team - Create or join a team to ride for BBBSCM - Ask your company to sponsor BBBSCM (variety of levels available) - Volunteer at the Ride Headquarters or BBBS Waterstop! - Make a donation  to a rider or team - If you can’t make it on Sept 24, be a virtual rider and help raise funds for BBBSCM. If you’d like to volunteer or get more information about the ride, please email events@bbbscm.org or contact Amy Chick at (508) 879-7762    ext. 15. Check out the website: ride.kintera.org

Free Fun Fridays

This summer The Highland Street Foundation is sponsoring free admission to local museums and attractions every Friday until the end of August. Below is the list of locations for the month of July:

July 15, 2011

Museum of Science (1 Science Park, Boston)

Higgons Armory Museum (100 Barber Avenue #11, Worcester)

The Discovery Museums (177 Main Street, Acton)

Garden in the Woods (180 Hemenway Road, Framingham)

July 22, 2011

Franklin Park Zoo (1 Franklin Park Road, Dorchester)

The Sports Museum (TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston)

Norman Rockwell Museum (9 Route 183, Stockbridge)

Peabody Essex Museum (161 Essex Street, Salem)

For more information check out their website at www.highlandstreet.org!

2011 Golf Outing Details

           Third Annual Big Brothers Big Sisters & WPI Men’s Basketball Golf Outing

~Saturday, October 1, 2011~

Photo Courtesy of Cyprian Keyes

              Agenda:                                 Special events:                          Location:                        7:00 – 7:30 am ~                           Hole-in-one Contest             Cyprian Keyes Golf Club   Registration and Coffee                  Longest Drive Contest          284 East Boylston Street 8:00 am ~ Shotgun Start             Closest to the Pin Contest            Boylston, MA 01505  1:00 pm ~ Luncheon and             Auction and Raffles                     (508) 869-9900   Presentation of Awards                                                                     www.cypriankeyes.com

                                                      Registration and Payment:
$700 / Foursome                                                                                                                                  $200 / Single Golfer                                                                                                                                                                                  By Credit Card at:                  http://bbbsandwpigolf.kintera.org                                                                     By Check, made payable to:                                                      Big Brothers Big Sisters of                                                         Central Mass / Metrowest

Mailed to:                                                                                 Big Brothers Big Sisters                                                               c/o Golf Outing                                                                             484 Main Street                                                                            Suite 360                                                                                   Worcester, MA 01608

                                                                                                                                                             For More information, please contact Erin by phone at (508) 879-7762 or by email at erin.harper@bbbscm.org

Save the Date – Third Annual Golf Outing – Saturday, October 1, 2011

Big Brothers Big Sisters & WPI Men’s Basketball Team

Third Annual Golf Outing

Saturday, October 1, 2011

8:00 a.m. Shotgun Start

Cyrpian Keyes Golf Club, Boylston

For more information, please contact Erin by phone at 508-879-7762 or by e-mail at erin.harper@bbbscm.org.