Big News
Magic on the Mall
Winter in Charlottesville is a season full of excitement, community spirit, and festive charm—all happening right on the Cville Downtown Mall! To help you make the most of this magical time, we’ve gathered a list of FREE events happening at the Downtown Mall, perfect for Bigs, Littles, and families alike. Wishing you all a warm and joyful season—happy holidays!
Aaron Hark on the Power of One-to-One Relationships with BBBS
I’m a big believer in the power of one-to-one relationships. Thinking briefly about my own life, so much of my personal and professional growth has derived directly from those who were kind enough to give me the gift of their time. They taught me life skills that don’t come from a classroom. They offered business or professional guidance from their own experience. They helped me process challenging moments, and were by my side at times of celebration. Simply writing this reminds me how different my life would be today without each of them.
Celebrating One Year of Mentorship: Big Sister Shevya & Little Sister Azaria’s Pottery Adventure!
Over the past year, they’ve shared many fun experiences together, but their recent outing to Lazy Daisy Ceramics in Charlottesville stands out as a special one. This creative adventure, painting pottery, brought smiles and lasting memories for both Shevya and Azaria.
BBBS Fall Hike 2024: A Day of Nature and Community
We had an incredible time during the BBBS Fall Hike on the Frazier Discovery Trail! A huge thank you to Ranger Whitney for being our guide and sharing fascinating insights into the natural wonders we encountered along the way.
Big Spotlight: Trick Bike Riding in Charlottesville!
Big Brother Adam and Little Brother Da'Moni have been matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) for nearly four years, sharing a love for the outdoors and staying active. From hiking in Shenandoah National Park to their newest hobby—biking—the duo makes the most of their time together. This summer, they visited Charlottesville Community Bikes, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing kids in the Charlottesville area with safe bicycles and helmets.
Playing Ball and Changing Lives - Match Spotlight: Big Brother Andrew and Little Brother Egypt
Egypt and Andrew’s story began one year ago, August 2023. Since then, they have formed a remarkable bond. Egypt's mother has noticed significant positive changes.
They're playing basketball! Big Brother Ben and Little Brother Kavion
Matched with BBBS since October of 2021 – Big Brother Ben and Little Brother Kavion have had a blast together! They have spent time together playing basketball and enjoying other sporting activities. Big Brother has also cheered Little Brother onward by attending his Little League baseball games and basketball youth team games. With Big Brother Ben having graduated from UVA and moving away from the Charlottesville area, both are celebrating the end of this successful match with our program – but looking forward to keeping connected for many years to come!
BBBS Match Spotlight: Big Sister Linda and Little Sister Saliha
Big Sister Linda and Little Sister Saliha have been matched in our BBBS program for seven months, creating a strong bond through shared adventures in the Charlottesville area. Their weekly meetups often include hiking, attending local events, and participating in a variety of activities that the community offers. They especially enjoy the events sponsored by our program, often feeling like winners at these activities!
New Match Highlight: Welcoming Heather and Suzanna
We're thrilled to share exciting news from the Blue Ridge Bigs community! Yesterday, we welcomed a fantastic new match to our family, Big Sister Heather and Little Sister Suzanna. The introduction meeting, filled with smiles and laughter, took place at our local BBBS office, signifying the beginning of what promises to be a rewarding journey for both mentor and mentee.
National Volunteer Week Spotlight: Celebrating Big Sister Theresa and Little Sister Liz
In celebration of National Volunteer Week, we're shining a spotlight on one of our most heartwarming matches at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge: Big Sister Theresa and her Little Sister Liz. Since 2017, Theresa and Liz have shared countless memorable experiences, from leisurely outings to bookstores like Barnes & Noble to enjoyable dinners together. This week, we honor Theresa's dedication as a Big Sister and the significant impact she has made on Liz’s life.
Spring Hike 2024
BBBS Annual Spring Hike 2024. Thank you to our partners, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club - PATC and Public Lands for partnering with us.
A Heartwarming Journey: Big Brother Sam and Little Logan's Eight-Year Adventure
Building lasting relationships is at the core of BBBS volunteer initiatives, and the story of Big Brother Sam and Little Logan is a shining example of the positive impact such connections can have on individuals. This is a chronicle their incredible journey over eight years, showcasing the power of mentorship and the enduring bond between a mentor and mentee.
Winter Resources 2023-2024
Winter is now upon us for the 2023-2024 season. You may be in need of warm winter clothing, food or support with utility bills and housing costs. Our team has compiled a list of area resources to guide you in seeking assistance if you are in need:
Chitra and Makhia
Favorite match activities?
M & C: Hiking, walking around downtown and getting ice cream, jumping on the trampoline, making tik tok videos, playing the game "would you rather" and laughing. We also had a lot of fun on the BBBS Busch Gardens trip! We almost missed the bus home because we were having so much fun! Occasionally getting to spend time with Makhia and her twin sister Makayla.
Adam and DaMoni
What do you two enjoy the most about your match?
M: Enjoys most when we can go do hype things like play basketball and go to jump.
A: I love how Moni can make friends with anyone he meets, and always starts conversations with the coolest people.
Beattie and Ely
What it was like meeting each other for the first time?
E: I felt shy at first, but then we went bowling and asked questions about each other. After that I felt better.
B: Ely was very shy, but quickly warmed up! I had big plans for everything we were going to do together and all we were going to talk about, but learned that it was best to be patient, listen, and let Ely open up when he was ready.