Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan (BBBSSM) received a heartwarming gift from the Toledo Zoo: 100 complimentary tickets for Bigs and Littles, who explored the zoo together on November 2. This generous donation, part of the Zoo’s Companies for Kids initiative, gave matches a unique opportunity to bond, learn, and immerse themselves in the wonders of wildlife.
Through Companies for Kids, the Toledo Zoo extends zoo experiences to at-risk, underserved, and special needs youth, making it possible for families and community organizations to create lasting memories. Support from the recent Kodiak Classic golf outing in Ann Arbor has helped boost these offerings, funding even more tickets for organizations like BBBS Southeast Michigan. Multiple staff from BBBSSM collaborated on this great initiative for months leading up to the day to ensure the agency’s littles had a great time.
“This gift from the Toledo Zoo is deeply impactful for our matches,” said Jennifer Spitler, CEO of BBBS Southeast Michigan. “It’s a day for our Bigs and Littles to discover together, strengthening their bonds in a lively and educational setting.”
Matches attended all the way from Michigan and had fun with exhibits, seeing the animals and more. Little Sister Millie (right, black shirt) and Little Brother Zae (right balck shirt), best friends outside of BBBS, enjoyed their day with their Bigs. It’s moments like these that reflect the vibrant community within BBBS.