Bigger Together

Director of Development Dana Hall explained how BBBS has adapted virtually to keep Bigs and Littles connected through COVID using innovative technology. “It’s hard to know the long-term effects of social distancing on children, both academically and socially,” Hall said. “So, we really felt like mentoring was an essential service to these kids and we had to keep them connected. The goal is to support our Littles and be defenders of potential. Every child has potential, but some just need a little additional push of motivation in order to see and reach that potential.” Match Specialists continued to pair Bigs and Littles together virtually and sent out weekly virtual kits to facilitate matches. The kits included new activities for Bigs and Littles to do together and promoted education and assistance with homework, as students were still adapting to virtual schooling. Bigs and Littles can now see each other in person wearing masks and following CDC guidelines, but the video chatting tools have brought them closer than ever and still allow them to stay connected between inperson outings. The theme of this year’s virtual gala comes from the support system vital to the BBBS mission: bigger together. celebrate at home with a small gala watch party. The “I think one unique thing about the virtual gala is that several people are planning mini–Big Galas at their homes and they're going to get dressed up like normal,” Hall explained. “I think that's what our community is craving—just that slight sense of normalcy. If you want to dress up in black tie and send in photos, we would love that. If you want to put on PJs and get comfy while you watch, we love that too. We just want to keep everyone safe and healthy and cel-

“We are bigger together because of our com- We want to celebrate that support The virtual platform also allows for a bigger audiBIGGER munity supporters,” Hall said. “We are bigger together because of our matches and the incredible things that our matches ence to tune in, including friends, families and prior matches across the country. The live stream is free to attend and open system and let the community know that we still need help funding our matches.” TOGETHER are able to accomplish together. One thing that I love about the bigger together theme for the Big Gala is to the public. January is also National Mentorship Month and Big Brothers Big Sisters NWFL is openly Big Gala Goes Virtual that everyone—from a viewer to our staff and board, Bigs, Littles or their families have all experienced this. recruiting new Bigs—especially male mentors. by Dakota Parks We have all been impacted by this year and the challenges posed by it. We want to celebrate that support “We are constantly looking for strong male mentors to be matched with boys on the match waiting system and let the community know that we still need list. Men are a little harder to recruit as mentors and or the last seven years, Big Brothers Big help funding our matches and making new matches these kids are at a pivotal point in their life that havSisters NWFL (BBBS) has been celebrat- for kids on the waiting list.” ing a strong male mentor and role model would reing its biggest black-tie fundraising event ally help them. Being a mentor isn’t extremely time of the year, the Big Gala. Each year, around 400 Proceeds from the Big Gala go directly toward sup- consuming. It’s two to four outings a month and a sponsors and community supporters dress up, dawn- porting child mentorships and the work that BBBS weekly touchpoint that can be a phone or video call ing their best formal wear and head to Skopelos at does for the community. During the live stream, CEO just checking in on your Little. Those small check-ins New World for live music, a cocktail hour, silent auc- Paula Shell will give a presentation, a Big and Little and outings together can really make a difference in a tion and a paddle auction to support the mission of will video in to share their match story, and the sta- child’s life,” Hall said. BBBS. Like many nonprofits facing canceled fundrais- ple auctions will go completely digital. Celebrating ers and abiding by social distancing guidelines, this sponsors is also a vital part of the gala as well. Lo- To learn more about the Big Gala and volunteering as year, the Big Gala has gone virtual. On Jan. 15 from 7 cal businesses and families that sponsor BBBS will a mentor, visit: www.bbbsnwfl.org. – 8 pm, attendants can tune in to YouTube Live from get recognized on the live stream and receive a hand the comfort of their home, sporting comfy pajamas delivered Bigger Together At Home Gala Kit. Bigs and or even their favorite black-tie ensembles. Littles will be delivering kits to sponsors wanting to ebrate together.”