Become a Big Enroll a Child Events Donate

2026 Oyster Roast

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE


Our 2026 Oyster Roast is back, and we’re excited to welcome you for another unforgettable afternoon! This fan-favorite event brings the Lowcountry together for great food, live music, and an energetic, welcoming atmosphere.

Your ticket includes an all-you-can-eat oyster roast, BBQ, and sides, along with live music and an exclusive raffle available only to event guests. It’s the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon enjoying good food, good company, and a true Lowcountry tradition.

Event Details
Date: February 21, 2026
Time: 12:00–3:00 PM
Location: Bohemian Bull on James Island

Join us for one of our most anticipated events of the year and be part of an afternoon full of food, fun, and community.

Celebrating National Mentoring Month

January is National Mentoring Month, and it’s the perfect time to recognize and celebrate the incredible Bigs who make our mission possible. Our Bigs show up with dedication, compassion, and a genuine commitment to building meaningful, lasting relationships with their Littles. Through their time, consistency, and care, they help young people feel supported, confident, and empowered to reach their full potential.

We are deeply grateful for the passion our Bigs bring to mentoring. Their impact reaches far beyond each match, strengthening families, schools, and our entire community. We truly could not do this work without them. Our Bigs are at the heart of everything we do, and this month and every month, we thank them for making a difference, one relationship at a time.

The Role Model Fruit Roll-Up Sour Beer

Throughout January, Snafu Brewing Company is selling The Role Model Fruit Roll-Up Sour, with 50% of all sales benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry. Every pour supports mentorship in our community and helps create meaningful connections that make a lasting impact.

This unique sour brew, infused with oats and milk sugar, is conditioned on watermelon puree, watermelon Italian ice, and sour green apple drink mix.

Match Success: Shelbi & Kaitlyn

Brittany wanted Kaitlyn to have a mentor so she could enjoy more engaging activities and spend time outside the house. After joining Big Brothers Big Sisters, Kaitlyn found the perfect match in Shelbi! Over the years, Brittany has seen a positive change in Kaitlyn. “She’s definitely grown! I noticed her attitude has gotten better. She’s been enjoying the match and gets a lot out of their outings and their time together.” Brittany added that Kaitlyn has become more social and outgoing since being matched. Shelbi continues to nurture an important friendship by creating a safe space, helping Kaitlyn explore her interests, and even assisting with homework when needed. Brittany shared about Kaitlyn, “She loves cheerleading, working with hair, and doing makeup. She’s very into cosmetology,” and is excited to see how her time together with Shelbi will continue to support those passions.

Kaitlyn couldn’t remember why she initially wanted a Big, but she’s thrilled to be matched with Shelbi: “She’s really fun and funny, and she takes me everywhere I want!” LS loves going to interactive places, like her first trip to Urban Air with Shelbi, and proudly calls herself a “foodie.” “I like Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Applebee’s.” Shelbi has also helped Kaitlyn focus on school, providing guidance in math and social studies. One of her favorite memories is shopping for a gift for her mom, where they picked out a cute pink elephant together. She always has a great time with Shelbi, and looks forward to future outings and having new experiences together

With a background in youth development, Shelbi has always valued community service and was drawn to BBBSL after a co-worker mentioned it. She was excited to be matched with Kaitlyn and has enjoyed supporting her growth and confidence. “She’s more confident in trying new things. We are diving into her interests to figure out what she does and doesn’t like, and helping her have different opportunities. She’s been speaking up more and sharing her ideas, and taking more initiative to pick activities,” Shelbi said. She also finds it rewarding to see Kaitlyn care for herself and her family, and she admires Kaitlyn’s resilience and ability to bounce back when things don’t go her way. Shelbi focuses on consistency, kindness, and reliability, creating a safe space for Kaitlyn to explore her feelings.. The two enjoy painting, movie days, and trying new restaurants together. “Our favorite restaurant is Sesame Burgers in Park Circle.” They also bond over TikTok, and Kaitlyn keeps Shelbi updated on the latest dances. Recently,

Kaitlyn started cheering—a connection to Shelbi’s own childhood. One of Shelbi’s favorite memories is a boba shop outing where they talked about confidence and mantras. Together, they created an affirmation sheet on Canva, which Kaitlyn designed herself and shared with her mom.

Career Readiness: What’s New

Why Career Readiness Matters

Career readiness conversations at a young age are critical because they help youth connect their interests and strengths to future opportunities. Studies show that youth who engage in early career exploration are more likely to graduate high school, pursue post-secondary education or training, and feel confident about their future plans. Mentored youth are also more likely to set goals, stay engaged in school, and participate in their communities. By introducing career conversations early, we help Littles build self-awareness, motivation, and a sense of direction, ensuring they are better prepared to navigate life after high school with confidence and purpose.

How We Are Implementing Career Readiness

BBBSL is implementing career readiness through personalized, mentor-led goal setting between Bigs and Littles. Using open-ended questions, Bigs will help Littles explore their interests, strengths, and aspirations and translate those conversations into one meaningful, age-appropriate career goal each year. These discussions are supported by curated resources, career-focused match activities, and ongoing coaching from Match Support Coordinators to ensure goals remain realistic, motivating, and aligned with each Little’s growth.

What We Expect to See

● Increase the percentage of youth with post-high school plans from 86% to 95%.
● Achieve a 50% increase in youth participation in community volunteering.
● Support youth in setting 100 career-focused goals with at least 68% goal
completion.
● Engage youth and mentors in workforce development activities, resource
sharing, and career-focused conversations, preparing mentees for post-high school
success.

January Resource Update

January is a great time to set goals! This month, our resources will focus on helping you and your Little set meaningful goals while encouraging exploration of interests and building confidence. Be on the lookout for an email at the end of the month with more details and upcoming opportunities.

At BBBSL, we encourage matches to take part in free or low-cost activities whenever possible. Each month, we aim to offer one free activity for matches to enjoy together. Space is limited, so we encourage Bigs to register as soon as their Little confirms availability. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Match Support Coordinator, Dana or Avery.

2025 BIG Lowcountry Boil

Last month, we hosted our 7th Annual BIG Lowcountry Boil, and it was an incredible success! Thank you to everyone who joined us for an afternoon filled with delicious food, exciting auction bidding, and family-friendly fun. It was truly special to come together and celebrate the power of mentorship with our community, and we are so grateful for the support that helps make our mission possible. We can’t wait to do it all again this year!

January Observances

January is National Mentoring Month, and at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry, it’s a time to pause and celebrate the incredible Bigs who make our work possible. Our Bigs show up with consistency, compassion, and commitment, building trusted one-to-one relationships that help Littles feel supported, confident, and seen. We are deeply grateful for the time, energy, and heart our Bigs pour into their matches every day, as well as for the families, donors, and community partners whose support allows these meaningful connections to thrive. Together, we continue to ignite potential and create brighter futures for youth across the Lowcountry.

This month also includes several other observances that align with our mission:

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 19th) reminds us of the importance of service, equity, and standing alongside one another. Mentorship is a meaningful way to honor Dr. King’s legacy by supporting young people, creating opportunity, and building a more just and compassionate community.

National Thank You Month offers a moment to express gratitude to the volunteers, supporters, and partners who make mentorship possible. Big Brothers Big Sisters thrives because of those who choose to give their time, resources, and belief in our youth.

International Mentoring Day (January 17) highlights the global impact of mentoring relationships and reinforces the importance of guidance, encouragement, and connection in helping young people reach their full potential.