Another local fundraising record has been made at the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Bowl-a-thon.
More than $22,000 was collected at the fundraiser held at Leisure Lanes Feb. 28, slightly more than last year’s $19,000, according to program director Morgen Chernick. Forty teams, comprised of small clubs and local businesses, had a fun night of bowling and providing pledges to the BBBS organization and everyone appeared proud of the non-profit mentor program.
Irene Baliant, who came as part of the Ponoka Lions Club, enjoyed supporting a local organization. “It’s very important for the community.”
Also the Golden Age Bowlers were in full swing; Shirley Gill is a member who feels BBBS is worth supporting and her husband, Doug Gill said he enjoys “the fun and the camaraderie” of the night.
The importance of BBBS seems to be showing and business support was strong as well. Chernick said they had 19 companies that supported the fundraiser financially and more than 50 businesses provided prizes and donations.
Little sister speaks on being mentored
Keisha Little is a 16-year-old little sister, who, for the last three years, has been able to see the benefits of the BBBS mentoring program. “When you’re down, they (mentors) make you happy.”
She also enjoys being able to meet new people because of BBBS. Little was bowling with a friend who is a Big Sister to a girl in Grade 3. Jayde Baumgartner has been mentoring for just one year but has already seen vast improvements in her charge. “It’s been really rewarding.”
The girl she meets with was quite shy at first but has now started to “come out of her shell.”
Prizes were given to teams that collected the most pledges, had the most money raised online and even the teams with the best dressed costumes won awards.