Monday, August 25, 2025- (West Palm Beach, Fla.) – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties were surprised by a local donor who wanted to give local kids in need the opportunity to go back-to-school shopping.
Robert Certilman previously sponsored shopping for Littles of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island, as the owner of the Smithtown Acura dealership, and wanted to support his local community now that he resides in Florida. He contacted the Palm Beach and Martin County CEO, Yvette Flores Acevedo, to plan a fun and exciting shopping spree for back-to-school clothes and supplies.
On Saturday, August 2nd, in Lake Park, dozens of kids of all ages (littles), along with their parent/guardian/big brother or sister, lined up outside a store ready to go shopping. Robert handed each child/teen a gift card with $150 to buy new clothes and supplies from their classroom lists. Approximately sixty-three kids went shopping and had fun.
“The back-to-school season often brings added pressure for many families, but thanks to Robert’s support, our Littles are starting the year with not only the supplies they need, but also a sense of excitement,” said Yvette Flores Acevedo, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is currently seeking volunteers (adults) to be mentors. “It Takes Little to Be Big, is the name of the campaign to challenge the myths and shift perceptions of mentoring and why now, more than ever, mentorship is critical to the success of kids today. Today, one in three kids in America is growing up without a sustained, positive adult mentor in their lives, and over 200 boys are on the wait list for a mentor in Palm Beach and Martin Counties.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BSA/BBSA) recognized the Martin County organization in 2007 as one of the thirty-five best-performing agencies nationwide. Recently, this chapter was awarded the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BSA/BBBSA) Growth Award for program excellence in 2023. Big Brothers Big Sisters is currently seeking volunteers (adults) to be mentors. It takes Little to be Big! is the name of the campaign to seek men and women to become a big brother or big sister. There is a large number of boys (300) waiting for a mentor; there is an urgent need for mentors. Men and women are needed to volunteer a little time to make a big difference in a kid’s life. There are many ways to get involved in this charity based in both Palm Beach and Martin Counties. Visit https://mentorbig.org/becomeabig/ to learn the many ways to start your journey.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties:
BBBS provides children facing adversity aged 6-18 with volunteer mentors who serve as positive role models. Since 1986, the organization has provided mentors to children in Martin County and, since July 2010, in Palm Beach County. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BSA/BBSA) recognized the Martin County organization in 2007 as one of the thirty-five best-performing agencies nationwide. Recently, this chapter was awarded the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BSA/BBBSA) Growth Award for program excellence in 2023. The Growth Award recognizes agencies that have demonstrated growth in the number of (“Bigs”) and youth (“Littles”) who are matched through the program, year over year. In the past year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties has served 446 youth and grown its local services by seven percent. Visit www.mentorbig.org to learn more.