Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties is appealing to the community to support Bowl for Kids’ Sake, the mentoring organization’s biggest annual fundraiser, which raises money needed to carefully pair volunteer mentors with children who face adversity in staff-supported, long-term mentoring friendships. 

After more than 40 years, Bowl for Kids’ Sake has become Big Brothers Big Sisters’ largest national fundraiser, engaging more than a half million people across the country.  Participants solicit pledges from friends and family to raise funds to support the mentoring network’s nearly 360 local affiliates, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties. Nationally, more than $21 million was raised last year and they expect to top that in 2013. 

Locally, after raising $80,000 in 2013, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties hopes to top their $100,000 goal through the following events:

• VIP OPENING NIGHT - Saturday, March 2 | 7-9PM
  Crest Hill Lanes, 905 Theodore St., Crest Hill and includes a party in Kegler's Sports Bar & Grill with no cover charge!
• GRUNDY COUNTY - Saturday, March 9 | 12-2PM
  Echo Bowling Lanes, 220 Bedford Rd., Morris
• WILL COUNTY - Saturday, March 16  | 9-11PM (Celebrate St. Patrick's Day w/ lots o' green)
  Crest Hill Lanes, 905 Theodore St., Crest Hill
• LINCOLN-WAY AREA (Presented by Old Plank Trail Community Bank) - Saturday, March 23  | 2-4PM with Honorary Chair – New Lenox Mayor & ‘Big Brother’ Tim Baldermann
  Laraway Lanes, 1009 W. Laraway Rd., New Lenox
• COPS vs. FIRE (Police & Fire Dept. Teams Only) - Sunday, March 24 | 12-2PM
  Strike 'N Spare, 811 Northern Ave., Lockport
  
  

"Bowl for Kids’ Sake brings the whole community together in support of a positive future for our kids,” said Lisa Morel Las, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties. “No matter how someone chooses to be involved — as a bowler, team captain, sponsor, or even a ‘virtual bowler’— each person has a hand in helping start a child on the right path.” Every dollar raised through Bowl for Kids’ Sake directly funds the one-to-one mentoring programs in Will, Grundy, Kankakee, and Iroquois Counties.

Bowl for Kids’ Sake is sponsored by many supportive businesses and organizations. Platinum Perfect Game Sponsor: Wintrust Community Banks: Old Plank Trail Community Bank, First United Bank, and Orland Park Bank & Trust;  Gold Strike Sponsor: ExxonMobil; Silver Spare Sponsors: Abri Credit Union, Exelon Nuclear Braidwood Station, ServPro of Joliet, Lockport, Lemont & Homer Glen, Harrah’s Joliet, Centerpoint Properties, Turk Furniture, Citgo and the Exchange Club of Joliet.

To take the first step toward making a positive impact in the lives of children in our community, go to www.bbbswillgrundy.org/bfks and sign up to participate or make a donation. Bowlers form teams of five friends, family or colleagues, and each team member secures a minimum of $100 each in donations. For every $150 of donations raised, participants will receive an entry into a raffle for a free iPad.  The individual bowler who raises the most money at each event (minimum $750) will win an Apple iPad Mini. 

Funds raised through Bowl for Kids’ Sake, enable Big Brothers Big Sisters to provide careful mentoring matching and ongoing staff support that keeps one-to-one relationships going strong long-term to help youth overcome adversity to achieve lifelong success. The organization holds itself accountable for helping children achieve positive measurable outcomes including educational success, avoidance of risky and delinquent behaviors, improved relationships, higher aspirations and greater confidence.