Bowl for Kids’ Sake, the premiere fundraiser for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Lacombe and District (BBBS), returns for the 27th year with a new bold twist.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters Executive Director Crystal Zens said the fundraiser will return this year, but in a new format through a virtual bowling night at the Lacombe Memorial Centre (LMC).
The annual fundraiser will be held on March 14th from 6 to 10 p.m.
“Our participants have spoken and with the changing times, growing programs and thirst for something exciting, we have changed our format,” she said. “We’ve moved from the alley to the LMC.”
As opposed to the previous format of each team coming in for one hour to bowl just one game, this year teams can stay the whole night, bowling in a tournament in multiple games, earning points throughout the evening. All games will be played through Wii bowling.
“We encourage people to come for the whole evening,” said Zens. “We will have lots of contests and the coveted Bowl for Kids Cup is also up for grabs.”
A food tent and cash bar will also be on site to keep the bowlers fueled up throughout the tournament.
This year’s theme is superheroes, so participants are encouraged to don a ‘super’ costume to really get into the spirit of the event.
“The cool thing is, with the themes we’ve had throughout the year, participants really eat it up,” said Zens.
“People really dress up and go crazy with the theme. It’s way more worthwhile to dress up this year and spend the whole evening in costume.”
Other activities throughout the evening include contests, human bowling games like sumo wrestling along with a DJ who will keep the crowd amped up with some energizing beats.
Over the years Bowling For Kids has also become a team-building opportunity for many participating businesses and local organizations. It can serve as a fun night out with co-workers that goes towards a good cause.
Also connected with the fundraising efforts of Bowl For Kids’ Sake is the Wii Bowl for Kids challenge within local schools. So far Lacombe Upper Elementary School has signed up to participate in their own tournament during school hours, to help assist to raise funds for BBBS.
Zens said many area schools usually sign up to host their own event.
Students collect pledges from friends, family and the community and spend the lunch-hour bowling on Wii consoles.
All funds raised go directly towards mentoring programs within BBBS and stay in the local community.
Each dollar raised helps match kids with a mentor. This year the BBBS aims to raise $30,000 at the March 14th event and along with the Wii Bowl for Kids programs, hopes to double the amount raised with the goal of $60,000.“With the drop in government funding, we rely on this campaign to fund all of our youth mentorship programs,” said Zens. The funds raised will support up to eight BBBS supplied programs in the Lacombe, Blackfalds, Bentley, Clive and Alix area.
For 100 years BBBS nationally has been making a positive difference in the lives of the nation’s youth by developing and implementing a large range of mentoring programs. Serving as role models, mentors teach by example the importance of giving and giving back, of staying in school and of having respect for family, peers and the community.
Tickets are available and team registrations are being taken.
For more information visit www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca or call 403-782-7870.