Not many fundraisers stay current, popular and raise money quite the way Bowl for Kids has in LanarkCounty. Its evident the LanarkCounty community believes in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, as once again the agency raised about $50,000 in its three locations.
Bowling took place at the three county bowling alleys on February 28th; Vision Lanes in Carleton Place, Alley Cats in Perth and Gratton Lanes in Smiths Falls. Carleton Place and SmithsFalls both donated their lanes for the day, which also helped with the bottom line.
“The community believes in what we’re doing”, says Jennifer Miller, Executive Director for the agency, “They commit their time and money each year to ensure that we can continue to offer the programs we do to children right here in LanarkCounty.” The agency is not funded by the government so works hard through various events and initiatives to be able to provide mentoring programs to children.
Bowl for Kids is a Canadian tradition from Coast to Coast. It is the principal fund raising effort for the majority of Big Brother Big Sister agencies associated with the National Organization. In LanarkCounty, Bowl for Kids takes place in Perth, SmithsFalls and Carleton Place.
This annual event accounts for approximately 35% of the LanarkCounty agency’s annual operating budget. Funds raised go to help children reach their full potential through consistent, dependable and non-conditional adult friendship. Over the years hundreds of children in LanarkCounty have benefited from these relationships and the adults involved have overwhelmingly expressed their enthusiasm for the friendship they have enjoyed.
Top fundraising teams included; The Posties in SmithsFalls, St. Paul’s United Church Y&R group, and Service Canada in Carleton Place.
Corporate sponsors covered event expenses, so all funds pledged through participants go directly to fund programs. This year corporate sponsors included; Giant Tiger stores in all three towns, Crain & Schooley Insurance Brokers Ltd., Prodecal, Cogeco Cable, Impression Printing, Hinton Pontiac Buick, CIBC Carleton Place, Burger King, Hillier & Associates, Standard Life (Alex Goldmaker) and Service Master. On top of this, 14 service clubs and businesses bought $100 lane sponsorship opportunities and had their organizations name posted at each bowling centre for the day.
For those bowlers who achieved certain levels of pledges, there was a new prize pyramid this year, boasting mugs, shirts, bags and more great prizes to be won. Highest individual fundraiser this year was Ray Gibeault from SmithsFalls, who brought in a whopping $3400.00! Ray is retired from Canada Post, and brings his team of “The Posties” each year to participate.
Miss out on making a donation? Interested in purchasing a BBBS bag or water bottle? Call or stop by the office, its never too late to support this worthwhile cause.
For more information on the programs and services the agency offers, call their office at 613-283-0570 or check out their web site at www.bigbrothersbigsisterslanark.ca