USF Students Become Big Brother, Big Sister Supporters in a BIG Way [10/20/2008]

by Mike Klein

In time for the 2008/2009 school year, 45 children were matched with students from the Urban Studies Class at USF. The college students took part in two Garden Fest Events at Sulphur Springs Elementary, which began as a community garden at the school. It quickly expanded into a multiple events for the students at Sulphur Springs Elementary School which will include math, reading, sciences, development of social character, nutrition, and of course, gardening and environmental consciousness.

Amy Simon of the Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement at USF was able to bring 75 students to help out with the arts and crafts projects, getting their hands dirty in the garden with the younger students. Not only did they plant seeds for a beautiful garden, the students realized the importance of giving back and have decided to become Bigs!

Special thanks to so many people who pulled this together and made donations:

• Garry Nugent, Christi Buell, and other staff at Sulphur Springs Elementary School
• Maggie Gunther Osborn, Conn Memorial Foundation
• Academy of Holy Names
• Wachovia Banks
• Amy Simon and Laurie Walker, USF
• Progressive Black Men, Inc.
• Dr. Gail Crosby, Teri Simpson, Karen Logan, Ashley Talsma and other BBBS Staff