Driven by North Branford High School (NBHS) students challenged to take a symbolic dollar and turn it into thousands for charity, the Big Give is back in town, and "...it really hits home this year," said NBHS Big Give founder and teacher Stephanie Byrd.

Byrd founded the Big Give with the NBHS Student Council in 2010, after being inspired when television's Oprah Winfrey shared the charitable dollar-growing idea nationwide. To date, bi-annual NBHS Big Give efforts have generated $40,000 for charity; from funds creatively raised by students fanning out into the North Branford community. Each past Big Give has helped a number of local, national and global charitable organizations.

This time, NBHS Big Give puts the focus on giving back to North Branford causes.

"We took a look at the project, and one of the things we realized is that the Big Give really only is successful because the community of North Branford comes together and supports us," said Byrd. "So we thought, why not put that money back into the community? We encouraged the students to pick something that was local. We do have a few groups that really felt passionate about groups outside of North Branford, so they are supporting those causes. But most of the teams have selected an in-town cause."

Among the in-town causes are two local families, located after Byrd reached out across the school district to learn of any school children who might be encountering a need at this time. One family receiving Big Give support is the family of a Totoket Valley Elementary School (TVES) student, which needs support following the sudden, tragic loss of the student's father. The other family is that of a JHS preschooler with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (a rare genetic disorder which can involve physical, cognitive developmental and medical challenges).

In addition, student teams of the 2016 NBHS Big Give are supporting the following causes: North Branford Public Libraries, North Branford Unleashed!, North Branford VFW Post 8294, North Branford Closer to Free team, Matt's Mission Fund, North Branford Food Pantry, North Branford Fight for Air Climb team, St. Baldricks at JHS, All the King's Horses Equine Rescue, Veteran Anglers, Branford Compassion Club, North Haven Special Olympics team, Chrohn's & Colitis Foundation (CCFA).

Student Chris Candelora and his team took the "local" message to heart, choosing to support North Branford VFW Post 8294.

"I have always admired veterans for donating their time to protect our country," said Candelora. "So rather than doing the Wounded Warrior Project, we looked closer to home and the VFW."

Candelora's team is planning a fundraising event at CT Sportsplex on Mar 12, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

"It's going to be unlimited Laser Tag and Cyber Sports for anyone that shows up and just pays $10; they also get a slice of pizza and soda and 100 percent of its goes to charity," said Candelora.

NBHS Student Council president Kaylea Grandpre, a member of Team St. Baldricks at JHS, said she's finding most community members know what the Big Give is all about, and that's helping student teams get fundraising up and running.

"I think for the most part many students and younger audiences and parents are aware of it because the high school has been running it now for a few years," said Grandpre, while adding there may be some  "...older audiences that need to be refreshed or made aware of this event this year."

Grandpre and her team will volunteer at this year's St. Baldricks' event at JHS set for March 21 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. The fundraiser supports childhood cancer research and also honors several young residents with lives touched by cancer.

"We also have a clothing drive for the month of March, where we get a percentage for every pound; so we're hoping people can donate some unneeded items in their closet, and household items," said Grandpre.

The team is also holding a family movie night at JHS, on April 8, 6:30 p.m.

"Hopefully many people will show up, and it's all going to be going toward the cause," said Grandpre.

Byrd and returning Big Give co-advisor and teacher Jessica Barbato, together with Big Give 2016 co-advisor and teacher Megan Bishop, also changed things up for this incarnation of the Big Give by widening the scope of involvement to include any interested students. The idea was hit.

"While there are a lot of Student Council members involved, we also have students from the Music Department and groups like Helping Hands; and friends of Student Council members who've gotten involved," said Barbato, adding, "It's a huge time commitment on the part of the students, not just outside of school raising money, but also in school. They come for a meeting every week, sometimes multiple times a week."

During those meetings, "...we coach on the sidelines," said Byrd. "I think what makes it successful is the challenge of growing that symbolic dollar. We're constantly pushing them to find new ways to fundraise and to set high goals for themselves. It's not all about the amount raised; but what they learn from it, and hopefully they have fun doing it."

Student Cara Sagnella said her group, Team Matt's Mission, is "aiming high" while adding, "...we're not setting a special goal, but we're doing whatever we can to increase our dollar. Social media has been a huge factor."

Since late January, a total of 15 Big Give teams have working to generate support with creative fundraising ideas. Many teams have multiple efforts underway, such as Team Matt's Mission.

"We've been selling these (No Need to Speed) signs at Country Paint and Hardware for $20, and also we've put a lot of coin boxes at businesses in town," said student member Meredith Johnson. "We're also having a bake sale March 27 at Stop & Shop in Branford and we're having a Doody's night March 22, when ten percent of each bill will go toward charity."

Student Becky Sabetta's team is supporting the town's libraries with a Read-A-Thon, among other ideas.  The March 26 Read-a-Thon will take place at the Edward Smith Library in Northford.

"It's open to all ages," said Sabetta, who also volunteers at the library. "People will collect pledges before, and then everyone will just read from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. We're going to try to get a (donated) prize for the person who collects the most money in pledges."

NBHS Principal Todd Stoeffler said seeing the response from students and staff willing to put their time and effort into NBHS Big Give 2016 has been "very rewarding."

"The Big Give has been a process that's evolved over a number of years here, and that's a credit to the staff," said Stoeffler. "I always tell the kids, '...if high school was just about getting A's, I'd give you a wheelbarrow full of books, send you home, and tell you to come back in four years.' That piece is important, but there's a whole other piece that's here, too. We try to incorporate meaningful experiences with academics; and I think this is a great example of that."