Immediate Release
March 29, 2008

Media Contact:
Randi Tapio, Organizer
(work) 320-310-0259 or (cell) 320-290-6448

Local Business Leaders Start “Big Give MN”

St. Cloud, MN – A group of business leaders have started Big Give MN, a volunteer organization that matches business resources with the needs of nonprofits and citizens in the state.

“We have many opportunities every day to use what we have to make a difference in someone’s life and our community,” says Randi Tapio, Big Give MN founder and owner of Medical Billing Professionals in St. Cloud. “But many times we do not even see them. Big Give MN aims to change that.”

Big Give MN creates a network of business leaders that can leverage their colleagues, family and friends to meet the non-monetary needs of nonprofits and individual families. By bridging their collective capital, the group aims to change lives, build stronger communities and inspire a generation of leaders.

The group of St. Cloud-area business leaders started the organization while participating in a 9-month Leadership Program through the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce. The group recognized the need after visiting the Salvation Army during the recent “Social Services Day.”

“Since Oprah’s Big Give started, my daughter and I have watched the show every week and I have felt called to do something,” Tapio says. “But it wasn’t until I was visiting with a gentleman at the Salvation Army and saw a list of the agency’s needs that I realized what needed to be done. There were so many needs that I knew our class could easily meet for them.”

Big Give MN will post needs submitted by nonprofit agencies and individuals on its website at www.BigGiveMn.org and help fulfill those needs through its growing network of business leaders. Businesses also may submit their information and giving opportunities through the website.

Big Give MN will host a kickoff event at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 3 at the Ground Round in St. Cloud to widen its network and better meet community needs.  For more information or to RSVP for the “Big Give MN” Launch , contact Randi Tapio at (work) 320-310-0259, (cell) 320-290-6448 or (email) This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it