August 19, 2011

CONTACT: Kelley Criscoe

BRHalloweenParade@hotmail.com

225-288-5585

10/31 Consortium Partners with Big Buddy Program,  Announces Costume Drive & Scavenger Hunt

Baton Rouge, LA - 10/31 Consortium, a local non-profit that is planning Baton Rouge’s only Halloween Parade, has partnered with the Big Buddy Program in support of a costume drive for the children who participate in the program. Additionally, children who receive these costumes will march in the 2011 Halloween Parade at no cost.

“Big Buddy is so excited to have been chosen as the recipient of these costumes. Many children do not participate because they do not have a costume. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of these children” stated Gaylynne Mack, Executive Director of the Big Buddy Program.

“Our goal is to collect 100 new or gently used costumes for the children of the Big Buddy Program” stated John Deshotel, Jr., 10/31 Consortium’s Community Outreach Chair. “ We believe that every child should have the opportunity to explore imaginary worlds and be something spectacular, even if only for one day. We are proud to be a positive source of creativity for these deserving children” he concluded.

The kickoff event for the costume drive is the Shiver Me Timbers Scavenger Hunt, which is another event planned by the Halloween enthusiasts of 10/31 Consortium.

Registration for the Shiver Me Timbers Scavenger Hunt is from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 17, 2011, at Gerry Lane Chevrolet, located at 6505 Florida Boulevard. Participants are encouraged to wear pirate attire for this photo scavenger hunt and costume contest, which was planned in honor of National Talk Like A Pirate Day.

“Pirates will have to decipher clues to discover specific locations all over Baton Rouge. Then, they have to take their picture at the location, dressed as a pirate, and upload it to our Facebook page to earn points. The pirate team with the most points wins” explained Jessica Edwards, the event planner. Edwards is also the 10/31 Consortium Fundraising Chair. “We are looking forward to seeing pirates overrun Baton Rouge!” said Edwards as she laughed.

The scavenger hunt ends at 8 p.m. at which time all teams of 4 or less are to check in at The Cove, a pirate-themed pub located at 2561 Citiplace Court, to be eligible for the prize. The winners will be announced at 9 p.m. and a cocktail social will follow with a cash bar.

The registration cost is $5 for 10/31 Consortium Members or $10 for non-members. However, attendees who donate a new or gently used costume to the drive will participate in the scavenger hunt at no charge. Attendees also must bring a non-perishable food item for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank to registration in order to be placed in the door prize drawing.

10/31 Consortium’s annual proceeds are given to Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital.

For more information on 10/31 Consortium and the Shiver Me Timbers Scavenger Hunt, visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BRHalloweenParade.

XXX

Kelley Criscoe

Founder & President

10/31 Consortium

P. O. Box 77583

Baton Rouge, LA 70879

Facebook:

Baton Rouge Halloween Parade

Twitter: @1031Consortium, #Oct31

It’s good to shop

Saturday, August 27th

Purchase a SAVINGS PASS from Big Buddy for just $5, bring the pass to Macy’s on August 27th and save 25% all day on regular, sale and clearance items, including home — even save on most brands usually excluded!

Save 10% on electrics/electronics, furniture, mattresses, and rugs/floorcoverings.

Some exclusions do apply – SAVINGS PASS outlines complete details.

it doesn’t get any better than this. Extra savings on regular, sale & clearance items – even most brands usually excluded!

Help Big Buddy and Shop For A Cause at Macy’s on the 27th!

The Big Buddy Program is excited about joining with the National Summer Learning Association and summer programs all across our country to recognize and celebrate National Summer Learning Day on June 21, 2011 – the first official day of summer.  Summer Learning Day is an opportunity for programs to highlight their commitment to operate high quality summer enrichment programs that link youth to positive adult role models; set high, clear and fair expectations, and provide youth with meaningful opportunities to connect to the community.  Research conclusively shows that all young people experience learning loss when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer.  Additionally, studies show that out-of-school time is a dangerous time for unsupervised children and teens. They are more likely to use alcohol, drugs and tobacco, engage in criminal and other high-risk behaviors, receive poor grades and drop out of school than those who have the opportunity to benefit from constructive activities supervised by responsible adults (Carnegie Council, 1994).

Our Summer 2011 session has been focused on teaching youth the importance of “Growing Up Green”.  Learning and daily experiences have focused on increasing our knowledge about recycling efforts, the importance to our community, and how reusing materials can be an effective way to save.  Additionally, our education has included learning and developing skills that can be used to help others and/or further our goals for life.

The Summer Learning Calendar is our invitation for you to join us in celebrating National Summer Learning Day and keep the learning going all summer.  Our calendar is filled with daily learning opportunities for you to engage in with the young person in your life.  Everyone plays a role in ensuring that youth are prepared with the academic knowledge and skills to succeed in life, and this calendar provides you with some great starters.  We hope you will join Big Buddy as we make summer learning stick!

Sincerely,

Gaylynne M. Mack

Proud Executive Director

Click here to download our Summer Learning Calendar

Keep the entire family occupied with a great book — or a few! Our suggestions should keep everyone busy all year long. These titles will encourage your kids to love reading, while improving their language arts skills.

Click here to download the summer reading list for Ages 2-4

Click here to download the summer reading list for Ages 5-6

Click here to download the summer reading list for Ages 7-8

Click here to download the summer reading list for Ages 9-10

Click here to download the summer reading list for Ages 11 to Younger Teens

Click here to download the summer reading list for Older Teens and Adults

• View the Lunch Menu
• View the Kingfish’s “10 Under $10” Menu
• View the Dinner Menu

Be sure to tell your wait staff you are there to support Big Buddy!

THE LEGAL STUFF: Please note this does not include sundries, meals or beverages purchased in the Lounge, Huey’s Coffee Shop, Gift Shop or Room Service in the hotel.

Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week has drawn the support and endorsement of all subsequent U.S. presidents, as well as many governors, mayors and other respected elected officials.

National Volunteer Week is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. It’s about demonstrating to the nation that by working together, in unison, we have the fortitude to meet our challenges and accomplish our goals. National Volunteer Week is about taking action, encouraging individuals and their respective communities to be at the center of social change – discovering and actively demonstrating their collective power to foster positive transformation.

Big Buddy’s Executive Director, Gaylynne Mack, adds “National Volunteer Week is not only our moment in time to celebrate those who volunteer with Big Buddy, but to celebrate ALL volunteers, without whom most service agencies and organizations would cease to exist. Big Buddy encourages everyone to take a moment this week to not only thank those you know who volunteer, but, if you don’t already, consider giving of your time and talents to an organization or agency close to your heart as well.”

The Big Buddy Program is a local non-profit 501(c)(3) youth services agency that provides positive role models and quality learning experiences to over 1,300 disadvantaged youth weekly. For over 30 years the Big Buddy Program has provided children and youth with positive adult role models through the Big Buddy/Little Buddy mentoring programs; character education and leadership sessions; and after school programs, holiday camps and summer enrichment programs; teen programs, and literacy skills.

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For more information, contact Laurie Hardison at 225-388-9737 or 225-931-7090

A $10 donation allows attendees to enjoy a meal complete with burger (and all the fixin’s), chips, ice cream and soft drink.  To-go orders are welcome and will be ready for pick-up beginning at 5:30pm.  Burgers may be ordered in advance via the Big Buddy website at www.bigbuddyprogram.org, or you may purchase at the door.  In addition, entertainment for the evening will include dance, recitations and choral performances by students involved in Big Buddy’s after-school programs.  Those wishing to make a larger donation may become a “Platinum Buddy” for a donation of $50.  Platinum Buddies will receive special recognition in the event program and in the annual report.  This year Big Buddy is adding FREE delivery for orders of ten (10) or more burgers.  The burgers are grilled by the Catholic High Men’s Club and served by the Catholic High Key Club.

The Big Buddy Burger Bash Scholarship fundraiser was established in 1990 to award deserving Little Buddies of the program with financial support as they pursued post high school educational endeavors.  In 2002 the scope of the scholarship program was expanded to include our T-Steps students who gained acceptance into private or parochial schools to begin their middle school careers.  Funds raised at the Burger Bash go directly to support the scholarship recipients.

Over the past 21 years, more than 40 scholarships have been awarded to Little Buddies in need of financial assistance as they attend various colleges, universities and middle schools.

Mentors help youth to overcome the challenges that hinder success in life.  Youth that have limited access to pro-social opportunities are more likely to engage in destructive behaviors.  Social conditions directly impacted by Mentors include:

• Poverty
• Crime
• Broken Homes
• Academic Failure

For over 30 years the Big Buddy Program has provided children and youth with positive adult role models through the Big Buddy/Little Buddy mentoring programs; character education and leadership sessions; quality out of school time activities such as after school programs, holiday camps and summer enrichment programs; teen programs that develop literacy skills through self-expression and creative writing; and numerous other direct services that involve the generosity of time and energy of a dedicated staff and over 700 volunteers per year.

Gay Mack, Big Buddy Executive Director urges…”It’s resolution time – this year, resolve to make a difference in a child’s life – be a Mentor!  You’ll get back so much more than you give.  At Big Buddy we believe One Child, One Mentor…..One Change at a time.”

For more information on becoming a mentor the public is urged to call Big Buddy at 225-388-9737.

The Big Buddy Program is a local non-profit (501(c)(3))youth services agency that provides positive role models and quality learning experiences to over 1,500 disadvantaged youth weekly. For 30 years the Big Buddy Program has provided children and youth with positive adult role models through the Big Buddy/Little Buddy mentoring programs; character education and leadership sessions; after school programs, holiday camps and summer enrichment programs; teen programs, and literacy skills.

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For more information call Laurie Hardison at 225-381-9704; 225-931-7090; 225-388-9737

Attachments:
NMM January 2011 Presidential Proclamation

Statistics to Validate the Importance of Mentoring

This gala fundraiser will feature prominent locals & dancers showing off the moves learned over the 6 weeks leading up to the show. As of this writing, confirmed dancers for the evening include: Janice Barrios, Community Coffee; Ty Hingle, Owner, Mattress Direct; Gerri Hobdy, Director of Partnership Relations, Baton Rouge Area Foundation; John Lee, Industrial Chemist, Albemarle Corporation; Debra Lockwood, Provident Resources Group; Claire Major, Owner, Artvark, Ltd. Art and Interiors; Beverly Major, Director, Forever LSU Campaign; Sherry & Julio Melara, 225 Magazine; Christi Domingue Rangle, Owner, SophistOccasions; Chad Sabadie, Reporter, WBRZ; Michelle Southern, Announcer, 96.1 The River; David St. Romain, Country Artist; Collis Temple III, National Sales Director, Primerica; Leo Verdi, Sullivan’s Steakhouse; and Allison Young, Senior Vice President, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana. WBRZ anchors Sylvia Weatherspoon and John Pastorek will host the festivities. Columnist for The Advocate, Smiley Anders, along with John Spain of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and Community Volunteer, Leslie Herpin Marx will serve as judges for the evening.

Dancing for Big Buddy has become one of the most anticipated and talked about events in Baton Rouge. Everyone loves an elegant evening out and the chance to help a good cause, add the very popular element of dance and well known faces and you’ve got a great event! – Gay Mack, Executive Director of Big Buddy Program

The Big Buddy Program is a local non-profit (501(c)(3)) youth services agency that provides positive role models and quality learning experiences to over 1,300 disadvantaged youth weekly. For over 30 years the Big Buddy Program has provided children and youth with positive adult role models through the Big Buddy/Little Buddy mentoring programs; character education and leadership sessions; after school programs, holiday camps and summer enrichment programs; teen programs, and literacy skills.

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For more information, contact Laurie Hardison at 225-388-9737 or 225-931-7090