BY KALISHA MENDONSA
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Lacombe had a very busy year in 2016 between purchasing a new home and completing their five-year national accreditation.
Throughout 2016, the community saw many grand fundraising efforts to help cover the cost of the new mortgage attached to the Gord Bamford House. Now, BBBS is switching back to fundraising specifically to support their core programming.
Heading into February and March BBBS is bringing focus to their biggest annual fundraiser - Bowl for Kids’ Sake. This is the 28th year of the fundraiser, which includes six school participation events leading up to the March 11th event. BBBS is hoping to see a total of $60,000 raised through this year’s campaign.
“All of the money raised through this fundraiser will go right towards our core programs, rather than our capital funds,” said Executive Director Crystal Zens.
“For the last eight months or so we’ve been fundraising like crazy to put money against that mortgage. We don’t want our core programs to get left behind, so these funds will be strategically placed into our core youth programming in the community and throughout the County.”
The ‘Wild West’ Bowl for Kids’ Sake evening bowl in March will begin at 6 p.m. in the Lacombe Memorial Centre (LMC). Leading up to that date, students around Lacombe and area will host their own Wii Bowling events, with all funds raised in schools staying with the in-school mentoring program.
Zens said the grand Wii Bowling event at the LMC has been a huge success, as people enjoy being able to stick around for a few hours and relax while fundraising for an important community cause.
There will be snacks and beverages available at the LMC event, with prizes to be won throughout the evening. As well, participants are encouraged to dress up with the wild west theme in mind to keep the event fun and kid-oriented.
“Generally, the community has shown great support to our Bowl for Kids’ Sake events. The whole campaign really is just a blast.”
Zens said it has been difficult for the BBBS team to fundraise so much over the past year and to see so much of those funds return to capital projects and payments. The focus has been turned back to core programming and getting to the heart of what BBBS does best, making a difference in the lives of community members.
She said last year there was tremendous support and BBBS was just slightly under their goal of $60,000. She said that she feels they can reach the goal this year with the community support they know is out there.
Keep up with BBBS on facebook and their web site for more details as the event moves closer.
kmendonsa@lacombeexpress.com