It’s time for the 2018 Bowl for Kids’ Sake benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Kentucky. This year’s events are April 11 and 14 at Southern Lanes in Bowling Green and April 21 at Ralphie’s Fun Center in Glasgow. As the agency’s largest fundraiser each year, Bowl For Kids’ Sake provides a major portion of the funding that allows us to serve children in Warren, Barren and Allen counties.
The event engages individuals to seek donations on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters. The money raised allows professional staff to match a child in need (a “Little”) with a committed adult volunteer (a “Big”). For those Bigs and Littles matched in the school-based program, activities take place at the child’s school typically during the child’s lunch or in an after-school setting. Bigs and Littles matched in the community-based program have the opportunity to do activities that engage the Little
in their community and to see what their community has to offer. With either program, the Little benefits from having a caring individual who can encourage him or her to do better in school, improve relationships, and stay away from risky behaviors. In national studies, Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring has proven to help children facing adversity overcome the challenges of poverty, poor school performance and other difficult life situations. Big Brothers Big Sisters alumni have reported that having a “Big” in their lives positively influenced their self confidence, provided stability, changed their perspectives on life, taught them new things, and influenced aspects of their education, pushing them to set higher goals and make better decisions.
As in past years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has picked a theme for the event. The 2018 Bowl For Kids’ Sake theme will be Glow Bowl. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy an hour of bowling in a fun and cosmic atmosphere. Plus, bowlers will be encouraged to dress for the occasion so that the whole bowling alley will glow.
There are many ways to get involved and make a BIG impact. As a bowler, you can go online and register to receive donations through a personal fundraising page that can be shared with your friends and family via e-mail or social media. The website compiles donations and includes a bowling lane “thermometer” on the main page to track how much has been raised. Bowlers can be competitive and pit their team against another in a race to raise the most to help the children we serve.
Bowlers are encouraged to join a five person team, with each member raising $25 to participate ($125 for a full team). You can also register as an individual bowler and be paired up with other single bowlers. Each participant will receive one hour of complimentary bowling, free snacks and sodas in the hospitality room, the opportunity to earn incentives, and a chance to win door prizes.
How Does it Work?
Step 1: Register online at www.bbbsky.com or pick up a pledge sheet at our office at 958 Collett Avenue, Suite 200 in Bowling Green.
Step 2: Raise a minimum of $25 to bowl at the event. We suggest you set your goal high since some of our top bowlers raise over $1,000. (Remember to find out if your business has a philanthropy match program.)
Step 3: Collect donations for Big Brothers Big Sisters and earn prizes. The first prize level of $40 will earn you an event t-shirt, and higher amounts will qualify you for other exciting incentive prizes.
Step 4: Reserve your lane by having the Team Captain contact our office to reserve a date and time to bowl.
Step 5: Submit your completed Pledge Sheet/Online Donations Form at the event.
For more information on volunteering or participating in Bowl For Kids’ Sake, call Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Kentucky at 270-781-1180, e-mail karen@bbbsky.com or visit www.bbbsky.com.
2017 Challenge Winners
Each year, we award those who raise the most money for Big Brothers Big Sisters in the following categories: Large Business (>200 employees), Small Business (<200 employees), Healthcare, Banks, Churches, Schools, Media, Law and Justice, Retail, Club/Organization, and top individual.
The winners of the 2017 Challenges are:
Fruit of the Loom, Inc.
Warren County Water District (WCWD)
Elliot Pediatric
US Bank
Morgantown Community Church
Sodexo
WBKO
Warren County Regional Jail
JC Penny
Kiwanis Club of Bowling Green
John Yonts
Trophies will be awarded at our Bowl For Kids’ Sake Kickoff Luncheon on March 9 hosted by our kickoff luncheon sponsor Holiday Inn University Plaza and Sloan Convention Center. Who will bring home the trophy in 2018? Want a shot at the title? Get your team together and start raising money for Bowl for Kids’ Sake today!
The Lives and Faces Impacted by Big Brothers Big Sisters. Mentoring Works!
When KJ was enrolled in the community-based program a year and a half ago, he was having difficulties maintaining healthy relationships while also struggling academically. His mom, Kala, began looking for sources of support to help her son and decided to try the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program. Her hope was that a mentor could encourage KJ to succeed in school while being a positive influence on his life.
On the suggestion of a friend, Rachel looked into the Big Brothers Big Sisters program as a way to give back to the community and help a child in need. Her hope in signing up was that she could be the source of positive change in the life of a child and do something good for someone else. She also had the experience of having caring and encouraging adults throughout her life and wanted to provide that same type of support through being a mentor.
Just over a year ago, KJ and Rachel were matched in the community-based program. Together they have formed a strong and enduring friendship through shared activities such as going to the movies, going out to eat, or going to ball games. Through this friendship, Rachel has provided encouragement and support to KJ that has been life changing. At the one-year anniversary of their match, Kala was happy to report that for the first time KJ was on the honor roll. She also noted that KJ’s behavior has improved dramatically. Kala said that she does not know what she would have done without Rachel and the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program.
A match like Rachel and KJ’s is something we at Big Brothers Big Sisters celebrate. They embody all that we strive to achieve when making a match and what we work hard for everyday. Without excellent Bigs like Rachel, our work cannot be done, and we are thankful for those in our community who want to impact the life of a child for the better, forever.
