Big Buddy Program

🌟 Community Spotlight: Louisiana Lions Camp Challenge

Know a child or teen living with a blood disorder — including sickle cell disease, cancer, or another hematologic condition? Camp Challenge is a FREE week-long overnight summer camp just for them (and their siblings, ages 5–15)!

🏕️ Campers swim, make art, play sports, perform, and most importantly — connect with other kids who get it. With 24/7 on-site medical staff, families can feel confident their child is safe and supported the whole time.

This is more than a summer camp. It's a place where kids belong.

📋 Registration is open now — spots are limited!

👉 Apply at campchallenge.org

Know a family who could benefit? Tag them or share this post! 💛

FMOL Health's support of Big Buddy extends far beyond a single event. As a Signature Sponsor of Dancing for Big Buddy, they help make a broad range of summer learning experiences possible for youth across our community.

Last week, Big Buddy youth explored Australian culture, attended the Louisiana Youth Wellness Summit, celebrated the completion of Southern University's Hip Hop to GenZ program, and enjoyed hands-on academic and enrichment activities designed to help them learn, grow, and discover new possibilities.

These experiences help young people build confidence, develop new skills, and broaden their horizons during the summer months. And it's possible because community partners like FMOL Health choose to invest in the next generation.

Thank you, FMOL Health, for helping Big Buddy youth learn, thrive, and dream bigger every day. 💙

Louisiana Healthcare Connections has been a dedicated supporter of Big Buddy for many years, helping create meaningful opportunities for youth across our community.

Their impact is already being felt this summer as youth in our Summer Enrichment Program explore cultures from around the world. This week, they're learning about Australia through Aboriginal-inspired art, new foods (like salmon poke bowls), and fun cultural discoveries.

Did you know Granny Smith apples originated in Australia? 🍏 Now Big Buddy youth do!

Thank you to the Louisiana Healthcare Connections team for your unwavering support of Big Buddy and the youth we serve. 💙

As a longtime supporter of Big Buddy, Hancock Whitney continues to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people across our community. This year was no exception, with Craig's participation and phenomenal fundraising efforts for Dancing for Big Buddy helping to create new opportunities for the youth we serve.

Their generosity is already at work in our Summer Enrichment Program, where young people are exploring future career paths through experiences like cosmetology classes, tours of the Department of Homeland Security, and other hands-on learning opportunities that broaden horizons and build confidence.

These experiences are possible because of dedicated community partners like Hancock Whitney who believe in investing in the next generation.

Thank you, Craig, and the entire Hancock Whitney team, for your continued support of Big Buddy and the youth we serve. 💙

💻 REMOTE JOB OPPORTUNITY from one of our partners: CVS Health & Signify Health

Looking for a work-from-home position with benefits and growth potential? Join a FREE 3-day training that includes an interview opportunity for the Member Engagement Coordinator (MEC) role with Signify Health, a CVS Health company.

📅 Training Dates
• June 30 | 12:30 PM–4:30 PM
• July 1 | 12:30 PM–4:30 PM
• July 2 | 12:30 PM–4:30 PM

📍 Training Location
5353 Essen Lane
Baton Rouge, LA

💼 Position Highlights
✅ Remote/work-from-home opportunity
✅ $15/hour starting pay
✅ Commission opportunities
✅ Medical benefits
✅ Paid Time Off
✅ Tuition reimbursement
✅ Equipment provided (high-speed internet required)

Ideal candidates have customer service, call center, or other professional work experience and are comfortable communicating with people by phone.

⚠️ Space is limited and attendance is required for all three training sessions.

To reserve your seat, email your name, phone number, and email address to:
📧 [email protected]

Would you know what questions to ask a potential babysitter? Check out these important tips from Louisiana Children's Trust Fund. 👇

TODAY IS THE DAY. 👑🦞

Crawfish King Cook-off kicks off in just 2 hours at 4:00PM, Downtown Baton Rouge. Trust us, there is no where else you'd rather be.

50+ teams. 4,000+ crawfish-lovers. One team crowned.

Come hungry. Come ready to party. Come support two incredible organizations doing big things for Baton Rouge youth: Big Buddy Program and Junior Achievement Greater Baton Rouge!

See you there! 🎉

What a ride. 🎤✨ Dancing for Big Buddy 2026 is officially a wrap. And because of YOU, the Big Buddy Program just had one of its biggest nights yet. The dancers shined, the crowd showed up, and this community proved (again) that Baton Rouge shows out for kids. 🙌

But here's the thing about the Big Buddy family: we don't stop. 👀

Next up? 🦞 Crawfish King Cook-Off — this Friday, May 1st, Downtown Baton Rouge. 50+ teams. And the best crawfish in the city all fighting for the crown.

The party's not over. It's just changing its shoes!

Saturday night at the PMAC was absolutely electric, and Baton Rouge showed UP!
To every dancer, every donor, every fan in those seats — thank you.

Here are your 2026 Dancing for Big Buddy winners:
🏆 Top Fundraiser — Dr. Sunshine Willett
💻 Top Online Votes — Dr. Sunshine Willett
⚖️ Bribe the Judge — Candace L. Johnson
⭐ Audience Choice (Male) — Craig Dauzat
⭐ Audience Choice (Female) — True Webb

Every Star Dancer brought their whole heart to that stage. And our Little Buddy Dancers absolutely stole the show! 🌟

None of this happens without this community. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. 💙

🚨 LAST LEADERBOARD UPDATE BEFORE THE SHOW! 🚨
Craig bolted ahead by 60 votes overnight — it seems he is DETERMINED to win this thing. 👑💨 But don't count out Dr. Sunshine just yet. She's made leaps before. Could she have one more in her?

⚡ True Webb is holding strong in 3rd — but is she done climbing? Second place is right there. And hey... so is first.

Meanwhile, don't sleep on the rest of the board:
🔥 Regina is hot on Cassie and LaMont's heels
📈 Travis shot from 10th to 8th overnight — that's 61 votes. In one night. But Renita is close behind him, widening her lead over Dan!

Is this leaderboard settling down... or is one final shakeup coming? 👀

The ONLY way to find out is to be in the room when winners are announced LIVE on stage tomorrow night. 🎤🏆

🥂 VIP — best seats in the house, food & beverage included, plus your exclusive chance to bribe the judges
🎭 Balcony — a fantastic view of all the action

Get your tickets + cast your final vote tonight:
👉 DancingForBigBuddy.com