The annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraiser is coming up later this month, and there’s still time to get your team registered.
This year marks the 22nd event, which benefits the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program in Jackson County.
Bowling times are noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Feb. 21 at Kingpins Bowl in Seymour. Teams must be registered by Feb. 15 and should have at least four members. Each teammate is asked to raise a minimum of $45 by the day of the event.
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Last year, Bowl for Kids’ Sake brought in more than $32,000. The goal this year is $35,000. All money raised goes to help cover Big Brothers Big Sisters operating and program costs.
“It funds all of our programming, match support, group activities and background checks for all of our volunteers in Jackson County,” said Kate Eder, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a member agency of Jackson County United Way and provides mentors to children to help them overcome obstacles and be more successful now and in the future.
Efforts are ongoing to expand the program into all schools in Jackson County.
Last year, the program served a total of 82 children, but there is a waiting list with many more children in need of a mentor.
The benefit of Big Brothers Big Sisters goes far beyond providing a positive experience for youth. It has proven to make lasting changes in the community, Eder said.
“When we talk about these matches, we’re talking about relationships that last sometimes years after the child has grown up and left the program,” she said.
Besides the one-to-one community-based matches, there are two other opportunities for mentoring through the Lunch Buddies program and the High School Bigs program.
Lunch Buddies allows adults to spend lunch with their match once a week, and the high school program pairs high school students with elementary schoolchildren during the school day.
During Bowl for Kids’ Sake, participants will have an hour and 15 minutes to bowl for free, including shoe rental, free pizza and soft drinks, and will receive a T-shirt and the chance to win door prizes.
Those who raise more than the minimum $45 will be entered to win additional incentive prizes. There also will be a silent auction.
Awards will be presented to the team with the best name, best costumes, most spirited and highest scoring game.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters is grateful for the amazing support here in Jackson County,” Eder said. “We aim for Bowl for Kids’ Sake to be a fun way of saying ‘thank you’ for contributing to our mission of changing children’s lives for the better, forever.”
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What: 22nd annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake fundraiser
Where: Kingpins Bowl, 643 S. Airport Road, Seymour
When: Feb. 21; bowling times are at noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m. Deadline to register teams is Feb. 15.
Cost: Must raise a minimum of $45 each and have a team of at least four to participate
Corporate sponsors and donations are still needed and can be mailed to Big Brothers Big Sisters, P.O. Box 231, Seymour, IN 47274. Online giving and fundraising is available through FirstGiving.com/bbbssi.
For information about Big Brothers Big Sisters or Bowl For Kids’ Sake, call 812-522-9699, email [email protected] or visit their Facebook page, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Indiana.
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