Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Thomas-Elgin

09/04/2026

September is Big Brothers Big Sisters Month! 🩵

This month, we’re shining a light on the life-changing power of mentorship and the meaningful connections that help young people feel seen, supported and confident in who they are.

A mentor’s presence today can help shape a young person’s tomorrow—building resilience, creating opportunities and strengthening their sense of belonging.

Right now, more than 70 young people in our St. Thomas–Elgin community are waiting for a mentor. This September, we’re raising awareness about the urgent need for caring adults to step forward and help make a lasting difference in a young person’s life.

www.bbbselgin.org

08/20/2026

What an amazing day! 💙🐴🐐

Yesterday, our Kids ’n Kops crew headed out for another adventure with visits to Greenfield Therapy and Mazak Farm! From interacting with the farm animals to getting creative with some crafting, there were plenty of smiles, laughs and new experiences along the way. 🐐🐓🎨

A big thank you to our wonderful hosts Greenfields Therapy Farm and Mazak Farms for welcoming us and helping make the day so special for our kids and officers!

Kids ‘n Kops Week is all about creating connections, trying new things and making memories together — and yesterday certainly delivered. 💙

Now, on to the next adventure! 🚓✨

08/19/2026

Kids & Kops Week is off to an amazing start! 🚓💙

This special week gives our young people the opportunity to enjoy new experiences, make lasting memories and connect with members of the St. Thomas Police Service in a fun and welcoming environment.

By spending time together beyond the uniform, Kids & Kops helps foster trust, understanding and positive relationships between young people and local law enforcement. We’re so grateful to STPS for creating such a meaningful experience for our kids—and we can’t wait to see what adventures the rest of the week brings!

08/01/2026

Another fun-filled day! 🌞

We kept busy with a variety of sports and activities. From soccer, football, gaga ball, and jump rope to our hands-on crafts and indoor activities. NOK’s programming has something for everyone to enjoy!

A huge thank you to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Thomas-Elgin staff for coordinating our Grade 8 volunteers today! Their help with our new signage was greatly appreciated! 🩵

Theres still a month of summer left come spend it with us at NOK!

📍 Tuesdays - June Rose Callwood Public School
📍 Wednesdays - Forest Park Elementary School
📍 Thursdays - Lockes Public School

Free program | Ages 4-16 | Drop-in 9:00am-3:00pm

07/29/2026

Another unforgettable day of smiles, laughter, and adventure! 🐴☀️

On Saturday, July 25, our kids enjoyed one of BBBS St. Thomas-Elgin's favourite summer traditions—a day at Horseshoe J Dude Ranch!

From horseback riding and swimming to making memories with friends, it was a day filled with fun and connection.

A heartfelt thank you to Horseshoe J Dude Ranch for welcoming us once again, and to the Optimist Club of St. Thomas, Talbotville, Talbot Trail and the Sunshine Club for their incredible generosity. Your support helps create meaningful experiences and lasting memories for the young people in our community. 💙🤍🩶

07/24/2026

💙 It takes a community to help young people thrive.

We're so grateful to Jumbo Plumbing for choosing to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Thomas-Elgin through their upcoming Grow Together Market! Whether you shop local, apply as a vendor, or simply help spread the word, you'll be supporting mentoring relationships that help local young people realize their full potential.

If you're a local maker, artisan, boutique, dessert or drink vendor, we'd love to see you get involved! Join us on October 24 for a day of community, connection, and giving back. 💙

Apply now: jumboplumbing.ca/fundraiser/grow-together-market

We fix today’s plumbing problems… but we’re just as passionate about building tomorrow. 🧡

That’s why we’re beyond excited to announce the Grow Together Market! 🎉

This isn’t just another market. It’s a chance for our community to come together, support incredible local businesses, and raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Elgin, an organization that’s changing young lives every single day.

At Jumbo Plumbing, we’ve always believed that strong communities are built by investing in people. Whether that’s mentoring the next generation through or training the next generation of plumbers, our mission is the same: leave things better than we found them.

The skilled trades are facing one of the biggest shortages we’ve ever seen. Instead of waiting for someone else to solve it, we’re investing in apprentices, mentoring future plumbers, and creating opportunities for young people to build rewarding careers. Because fixing a leaking pipe today means nothing if there’s nobody left to fix one tomorrow.

So if you’re a local maker, artisan, boutique, dessert vendor, drink vendor, or small business looking to be part of something bigger, we’d love to have you join us! (Food vendors are already full.)

Let’s celebrate local businesses, support an incredible cause, inspire the next generation, and prove that when a community grows together, everyone wins.

📅 Saturday, October 24
📍 Wildflowers Farm
⏰ 11 AM – 4 PM

Scan the QR code to apply or visit jumboplumbing.ca/fundraiser/grow-together-market.

Let’s shop local. Support youth. Grow together. 🧡🐘

07/09/2026

💙 Did You Know?

1 in 2 young adults wish they had a mentor—but can't find one.

A caring mentor can make a lifelong difference by offering encouragement, support, and someone to simply be there.

If you've ever thought about becoming a mentor, volunteering your time, or supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters in another way, we'd love to hear from you!

💬 Send us a message, leave a comment below, or learn more by visiting www.st-thomas-elgin.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca

A small commitment can make a BIG impact in a young person's life. 💚

07/09/2026

☀️ Looking for something fun (and FREE!) for your child to do this summer? 🎨⚽🌳

Our friends at Neighbourhood Outreach for Kids (NOK) are hosting FREE weekly summer drop-ins at:
📍 June Rose Callwood (Tuesdays, 9am-3pm)
📍 Forest Park (Wednesdays, 9am-3pm)
📍 Lockes Public School (Thursdays, 9am-3pm)

✨ What to expect:
✅ FREE to attend (Ages: 4-18)
⚽ Sports, games & activities
🎨 Crafts & creative fun
🍎 Healthy snacks provided
🤝 A safe place to make friends and build connections

If your child lives near one of these neighbourhoods or attends one of these schools, we encourage them to join in one day each week! It's a great way to stay active, make new friends, and have something exciting to look forward to all summer long. 🌞💙

📝 Register in person — the program is completely **FREE!**

We'd love to see our BBBS families taking advantage of this wonderful community opportunity! 💚

07/03/2026

✨ Meet Hailee & Kelly and hear why they love being part of Big Brothers Big Sisters. ❤️

With more than 70 local children waiting to be matched, there’s never been a better time to make a difference.

No experience is needed, and mentoring can be as little as one hour a week. A small commitment can have a lifelong impact.

Ready to learn more? We’d love to chat. 💚

07/01/2026

Happy Canada Day! 🫎🇨🇦

Our office will be closed today, Wednesday, July 1, and will reopen during regular business hours on Thursday, July 2.

However you're celebrating, we hope your day is filled with laughter, great company, and a little extra red and white. 🍁