The Big Picture

Play Ball! Latino Bigs and Aon Benfield Step Up to the Plate for a Good Cause

For the first time, our long-time supporters and new friends took a swing at raising funds by hosting charity softball tournaments in Central Park.

In late June, our Latino Bigs volunteer affinity group hosted a special softball event in Central Park's North Meadow to provide a healthy, fun and educational sports activity for our matches, and to develop partnerships, increase exposure and generate funding for the agency.The matches enjoyed a free softball clinic in the early afternoon that included stretching, running bases, hitting and fielding grounders, and tossing water balloons. Later, a softball tournament fundraiser was held. A team of Latino Bigs members and their friends played the LUL fraternity team in a friendly competition umpired by BBBS of NYC Executive Director, Michael A. Corriero.

Though the LUL team was victorious, all participants had both sore muscles and a great feeling from raising $3,000 for BBBS of NYC. Special thanks to our sponsors, MetLife, HBO Sports and Vitamin Water for helping to make this first annual event a success.

On July 30th, the insurance industry, led by Aon Benfield in partnership with the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF), held a big softball tournament with 12 teams and 6 fields at the Great Lawn in Central Park. Although this was their 10th annual tournament, it marked the first time that the games benefited a charity.

Betsy Myatt, IICF Executive Director, best captured the thoughts and feelings of everyone involved, "This is a great example of the insurance industry pulling together to make a significant difference in the lives of children in New York City." The event hit a home run, raising over $40,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City.

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Bigger Than Big: Big Brothers and Big Sisters Give Back by More Than Mentoring

From cause marketing partnerships, to volunteer fairs, to yoga classes, our current and alumni mentors are inspired and inspiring others to support BBBS of NYC.

Alumni Big Brother and Affiliate Summit CEO, Shawn Collins, immediately reached out to us about a cause marketing partnership when he scheduled his 2009 Affiliate Summit East Conference at the Hilton New York. He had previously supported BBBS of Colorado with a past conference and wanted to do the same for the agency that had matched him with his Little many years ago. First, Shawn and his business partner Missy Ward donated $5,000. They then inspired their many Affiliate Summit East Conference attendees, raising a total of $20,000 for BBBS of NYC through a variety of fun and creative initiatives, including offering discounted ad placements in the conference publications as charitable donations, playing online games, and participating in a silent auction, triathlon event, and special ask the experts advice booth.

On July 28, 2009, BBBS of NYC participated in the first annual Karmapalooza, a two-hour employee volunteer fair hosted by MediaVest. The company, which offers annual volunteer days to its employees with the opportunity to give back, felt it was the perfect time to help them do something for someone else. Big Sister and MediaVest's Anne Mazet invited BBBS of NYC to participate as a way to help us recruit more mentors for our current children in need. The fair was a big success: many people signed up for more information about becoming a Big, joining our Workplace Mentoring Program and participating in our upcoming Race for the Kids event. We also re-connected with a former Little Sister who would like to become a Big now that she is an adult.

Brian Silvestry is an Alumni Big, yoga instructor and member of our Race for the Kids Taskforce. After he and his Little participated in the first BBBS of NYC Race for the Kids event, Brian was hooked. The next year, he organized a successful salsa dancing event to help raise funds for the Race. This year, after being inspired by our Race fundraising and volunteer recognition events, the creative fundraising efforts of other taskforce members, and great people doing great work, Brian hosted 4 consecutive Tuesday evening yoga classes with proceeds donated to Race for the Kids.

The classes attracted people who hadn't done yoga for a while, those who had always wanted to try it, even mothers and daughters who made it a family activity. About 60 people participated during the 4 weeks in July and August, raising over $250 for the BBBS of NYC RBC Race for the Kids.

Brian said that it was easy, "If you take a look at what you already enjoy doing, like salsa dancing or yoga, you can find a way to give back. There are so many resources and opportunities in New York City if you just give it a little thought and creativity." As he looks forward to the Race in September, Brian is already thinking about what he can do to help support the event next year.

We are thankful to all of our current and alumni Bigs for helping us build a community and creating a legacy of giving. If you or your company are interested in partnering with us on cause marketing campaigns, please contact Sabrina Valvo, BBBS of NYC Marketing Director.

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BBBS of NYC RBC Race for the Kids Goes Digital

This year, you can raise money for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC RBC Race for the Kids - part of Nickelodeon's Worldwide Day of Play through Facebook.

When you add the new Race for the Kids boundlessFUNDRAISING^TM application to your Facebook page, you can extend your fundraising efforts to your networks of friends on Facebook and share our family spirit with the greater New York City family and beyond.

Once you've added the fast and easy Race for the Kids boundlessFUNDRAISING^TM application to your Facebook page, your fundraising efforts will be featured and automatically updated so you and your friends can see your progress and they can click on links to make donations or join your Race team. Friends can choose to register as a virtual runner or run/walk with you in Riverside Park on Saturday, September 26th.

At the Race and picnic that follows, you and your friends can enjoy special appearances by Honorary Event Vice Chairman Nick Cannon,Tiki Barber, cast members from the popular Nickelodeon TV show Degrassi High, Nick Jr.'s Yo Gabba Gabba! show host DJ Lance Rock, Nickelodeon characters Sponge Bob and Patrick, and more. WiiFit games from Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a basketball clinic, and fun field day games and training moves provided by the NFL can keep you energized.

There are 600,000 children in New York City in need of a Big Brother or Big Sister. Please help us help just one by fundraising for Race for the Kids on Facebook.

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