Big Buddy Brings The Zula Patrol to Baton Rouge
Session 1: June 3rd- June 14th
Session 2: June 17th- June 28th
Grades served: K – 4th
Mondays through Fridays
8:00am – 4:00pm
$175.00 per session/per child*
Breakfast and Lunch Provided
Features interactive and investigative science expeditions and missions to foster interest in scientific concepts associated with…
- Earth Science
- Physical Science
- Life Science
*Families may be eligible for Child Care Assistance to cover a portion of program fees.
LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE
STUDENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
Questions? Call the Big Buddy Office, 225-388-9737
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Buffalo Wild Wings Fundraiser
All friends, family and supporters of the Big Buddy Program are invited to participate in their fundraising event on
Monday, March 25, 2013
Everyone is invited to gather at Buffalo Wild Wings in Baton Rouge (3260 Highland Road) for lunch, dinner, or a snack. On this day, 20% of purchases* accompanied by the certificate below will be donated to the Big Buddy Program.
January is National Mentoring Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Baton Rouge, LA – In honor of National Mentoring Month, Big Buddy is inviting everyone to remember the Mentors in their lives and take the time to mentor someone else. Big Buddy Executive Director Gaylynne Mack says, “Everyone has had a Mentor (or more than one) in his or her life. For National Mentoring Month, take a moment to thank those who have mentored you and then pass it on by being a Mentor to a child, a colleague, a young parent, someone in your life.”
Mentors help youth to overcome the challenges that hinder success in life and in turn hinder the economic growth and success of our community. 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
- 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. Big Buddy is using National Mentoring Month to kick-off our Legacy Campaign. We want to hear from those former Little Buddies, Big Buddies, staff, and volunteers who have been involved with Big Buddy over the years. Get in touch with Big Buddy and let us know where you are and how you are doing.
Mack urges. “It’s resolution time – this year, resolve to Invest In The Future Of Our Community – MENTOR A CHILD! You’ll get back so much more than you give. At Big Buddy we believe One Child, One Mentor, One Change At A Time.”
Big Buddy Alumni or those interested in more on becoming a Mentor should call Big Buddy at 225-388-9737 or visit www.bigbuddyprogram.org.
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 1,000 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
7th Annual Dancing for Big Buddy to be held April 27, 2013
December 11, 2012 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Baton Rouge, LA – The Big Buddy
Program announced today the 7th Annual Dancing for Big Buddy will be held Saturday, April
27, 2013 from 7 to 10pm at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on the LSU Campus.
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: Shelly Beal, Owner SB Wellness Group; Nikki Caldwell, Coach LSU
Women’s Basketball; Rosa Flores, Anchor/Reporter WBRZ-TV; Scott Kaiser, Attorney
Phelps Dunbar; Heather Kleinpeter Savoy, Realtor Burns & Co.; Nan McCann, Principal
Baton Rouge High School; Dr. Douglass & Kelli Mendoza, Physician Ochsner Medical
Center; Michelle Pricer, Director of Constituent Relations, The Dunham School; Ob
Soonthornsima, Chief Information Officer Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana; Ralph
Stephens, CPA Postlethwaite & Netterville; Wayne P. Talbot, Director of Fine Arts East
Baton Rouge Parish School System; John Tyler, Attorney Tyler & Possa, Jim Urdiales
Owner Mestizo Restaurant, Todd Waguespack, Level BR Construction, and Dr. Ann
Zelditz, Physician. WBRZ anchors Sylvia Weatherspoon and John Pastorek will host the
festivities.
Those wishing to be close to the action may purchase seats at a table on the floor for
$250 each. Each table seats ten (10). Floor seats will go on sale to the general public on
February 1, 2013 and at that time may be purchased by calling the Big Buddy office at 225-
388-9737. General admission balcony tickets for the event are $10 and will also go on sale
now at the LSU Assembly Center box office or on-line at www.bigbuddyprogram.org. Event
sponsorships are available by calling 225-388-9737.
Big Buddy’s Executive Director, Gaylynne Mack, adds “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!”
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 1,000 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
Shop for a Cause and Save 25%
It’s good to shop
Saturday, August 25th
- Purchase a SAVINGS PASS from Big Buddy for just $5
- Bring the pass to Macy’s on August 25th
- Save 25% all day on regular, sale and clearance merchandise, including designer brands you love, throughout the store, as well as 10% off furniture, mattresses and area rugs.
- And, you will be eligible to win a $500 gift card, no purchase necessary.
Some exclusions do apply – SAVINGS PASS outlines complete details.
It doesn’t get any better than this!
Help Big Buddy and Shop For A Cause at Macy’s on the 25th!
Consortium Partners with Big Buddy Program, Announces Costume Drive & Scavenger Hunt
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2011
CONTACT: Kelley Criscoe
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
P. O. Box 77583
Baton Rouge, LA 70879
Facebook:
Twitter: @1031Consortium, #Oct31
The Big 360
The newest issue of The Big 360 is now available. Download your copy NOW!
ATTENTION
Big Buddy is NOT collecting money outside local businesses – we have received several reports of children standing outside businesses all over town saying they are collecting money for Big Buddy to send children to Houston. THIS IS NOT BIG BUDDY – if you are approached by these children, please call the BR Police (225-389-2000) and report this fraud.
Summer Learning
Dear Parents and Supporters,
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
Kingfish Restaurant will Donate Proceeds to Big Buddy on May 25
On Wednesday, May 25th, The Kingfish Restaurant (inside of the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center) will donate 10% of the restaurant’s proceeds to Big Buddy…..that’s breakfast, lunch and dinner. So plan that power breakfast, business or casual lunch and dinner out at the Kingfish….enjoy fabulous food and help a great cause at the same time.
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.
