Fundraiser That Helps Support Children Also Promises to be Great Fun

PORTSMOUTH — An “elegantly casual barn party” featuring fabulous food and drink, live music, and silent and live auctions will highlight the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Seacoast fall fundraiser, an annual event that benefits children throughout the Seacoast. 

“The Big Bash on little bay” will take place from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, at 224 Little Bay Road in Newington at a private home with, of course, a barn. This annual fall event directly funds the agency’s mission, which is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. 

“This is our major fundraising event for the year,” says Alyssa Salmon, BBBSGS development and communications director.  “It’s a wonderful thing to see the community really coming together in support, because this is our community. The agency is a vital part of it.  The children we serve are our community.” 

BBBSGS is a 35-year-old organization serving 39 cities and towns in Rockingham and Strafford counties, with a vision that all children achieve success in life. Adult mentors expand the perspective of children ranging in age from 6 through 17 years old by encouraging them to look beyond their situation to the outside world of possibilities to see that bigger and better things are attainable. 

“Most kids can benefit from having a mentor in their lives.  Having a positive adult role model in their life is the single most important thing to helping them reach their potential and have success in life,” says BBBSGS Executive Director Stacy Kramer. 

Salmon expects to sell 200 event tickets, which cost $125 per person or $200 per couple. Ticket sales directly support matches between adults and children. It costs $1,200 a year per match to recruit, interview and train volunteers; interview children and parents; conduct state, national, media and social media background checks; and to pay for liability insurance, among other costs. BBBSGS typically provides mentors for more than 300 kids and serves more than 400 kids each year either through a mentor, match activities, or holiday help. 

The Big Bash on little bay will feature the funk band Das Pintos. The event’s live auction will include bidding on an African safari, Lasik surgery, a dress and clutch, Bruins tickets and a limo package, jeans for a year, and a men’s custom suit. The items are valued in the thousands of dollars. 

There also are a lot of exciting silent auction items. “We have a lot of things to offer this year.  Really fabulous items such as condo rentals, Explore Portsmouth packages, high-end designer services, so many interesting, diverse items,” says Salmon. 

The sponsors for the event are Sprague Energy and Auger Building Company as well as C&J Bus Lines and Silver Oven. Smuttynose is providing the beer. Providing food are local restaurants and caterers, including Flavor Concepts, White Apron Catering, Cape House Catering, Seaport Fish, The Meat House, The River House and Hagan’s Grill. Desserts will be provided by Cakes by Jocelyn and the Galley Hatch. Federal Cigar is sponsoring a cigar bar at the event. 

Tickets can be purchased at www.BigBash.Kintera.org or call the BBBSGS office at (603) 430-1140. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Seacoast is a business partner of the Green Alliance, a union of local sustainable businesses promoting environmentally sound business practices and a green co-op offering discounted green products and services to its members. 

For more information about BBBSGS, visit www.bbbsgs.org.