The 30th annual Bowl For Kids is set to strike big this weekend.
The March 4 event in Olds and Innisfail is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Big Brothers Big Sisters Prairies to Peaks, a youth mentoring agency that serves six communities in the region.
Sherry Dijkstra, executive director of the local Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), said one event will be held in Olds from 5 to 7 p.m. Before that, another will be held at the Innisfail Bowling Lanes at 9 a.m.
The goal of BBBS is to have 100 teams and to raise at least $50,000. Participants collect pledges as part of the teams' commitment to raise funds for the annual event.
Last year during the 29th annual Bowl For Kids, the agency raised about $45,000.
"Eight teams will bowl per hour," said Dijkstra, whose agency is awarding prizes to the top fundraisers. "They pledge to raise us money first and they have about four weeks to do that. They come on March 4 and we have them all booked at a time slot. They come and bowl for an hour and have some fun. We will have 50/50 tickets available."
Dijkstra said all money raised will go towards the agency's in-school and traditional mentoring programs that are available in Olds, Bowden, Sundre, Innisfail, Penhold and Spruce View. She said the agency serves about 120 kids in those programs. About 105 volunteers serve the agency as mentors, added Dijkstra.
"Obviously the more money we can raise in a year the more youth we can help because we can increase our programming," said Dijkstra, adding last week that 63 teams had already signed up for the fundraiser.
For more information call 403-227-6766 or email [email protected] to register.
Sherry Dijkstra, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Prairies to Peaks
"Obviously the more money we can raise in a year the more youth we can help because we can increase our programming."
