There were a few strikes and spares, a few pins left standing, and the occasional gutterball.
But ultimately, how the bowlers fared at Willowbrook Lanes last weekend was secondary to the cause, of brightening the lives of kids in need of an adult mentor.
The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Langley’s 37th Bowl for Kids Sake on April 8 and 9 generated more than $35,000 with a bit more money yet to come in – an increase of roughly $5,000 over last year.
The funds go to support BBBSL’s one-to-one mentoring matches, both community and school based, explained the organization’s executive director Mary Reeves.
“These are prevention services and the community can get behind the idea of supporting a child rather than waiting and trying to fix an adult,” Reeves said. “The cost benefit analysis is readily available and visible.”
The event featured prizes, snacks, and games as a means of raising money for the cause, and is sponsored by more than 20 companies
Reeves said each year, BBBSL receives “tremendous support from the Langley community.”
There are lane sponsors, prize donors and Panago donates all the pizzas for every bowling session.
“After 37 years of doing this, I guess there are always going to be new teams who try this out and find out how much fun it is,” Reeves said.
“It is a real family friendly event as well, which really taps into our service vision of supporting children. But then we also have so many faithful teams who have returned year after year.”
Each year, organizers try a different theme, and add some extras to make the fundraiser more attractive.
“With a board which is constantly changing, it helps to tap into new contacts and markets,” said Reeves, adding that the board was really supportive of the event this year.
“We had our highest ever online donations, which is so nice to see,” Reeves said. “People love it because it is fun and doesn’t take a lot of work.”
Reeves said Bowl for Kids Sake is a really fun event and very upbeat.
“It is awesome to see a really grateful mom of a ‘Little’ raise donations and come bowling because of the huge impact the program has had on her child,” Reeves said. “I can tell you that if all I had to hang onto was the awesome stories I get to hear, any fundraiser would be worth it for me.”
There are never enough resources to fit the need that is out there, Reeves said.
“Last year we served 350 children in Langley, this year it will be closer to 400,” Reeves said. “We had our waitlist almost cleared away at one point last year, but now we are back up to about 40 children.”
People who want to still donate can do so online by clicking here.
If anyone would like to help us reduce our waitlist by becoming a “Big” can email admin.langley@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca