Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Leadership Pinellas Class of 2007 are hosting "Big for a Day" Baseball Bash on Sunday, April 15, at Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater. The event provides people the opportunity to experience being a Big Brother, Big Sister, or Big Couple to a child for one day.
Beginning at 10:30 a.m., "Big for a Day" volunteers, ages 14 and up, will be paired up one-to-one with children who are currently on the waiting list for a mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Together, they will spend the day enjoying a Threshers baseball game, food, drinks, and a variety of other planned activities at the ballpark - all for free.
As a final project required for their class, the Leadership Pinellas members had to organize a project that would benefit the community. The group's passion for kids and desire to see them reach their potential led them to work with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
There are currently 154 children in Pinellas County enrolled and waiting to be matched with a Big Brother, Big Sister, or Big Couple - some for more than a year. This event helps the "Big for a Day" volunteers get more acquainted with Big Brothers Big Sisters, its mission and the children it serves, and encourage them to consider becoming official "Bigs," who serve as friends and mentors to their "Littles."
While "Big for a Day" volunteers will only spend the day with their designated "Little," volunteers enrolled as official Big Brothers and Big Sisters spend an average of four to five hours a month with their "Littles" either in the community-based or site-based program. Community-based "Bigs" and "Littles" spend time together doing things they both enjoy, such as playing at the park, shooting hoops, going to a ballgame, or just staying in to play video games or bake cookies. Site-based "Bigs" meet with their "Littles" for one hour a week, usually on a set day and time, at the child's in- or after-school site where they read, play sports or computer games, or simply talk about life.
For more information about becoming a "Big for a Day" volunteer, or to learn about sponsorship opportunities for the event, contact Stefanie Barsema at 727-518-8860.
