SOUTH GLENS FALLS -- Hundreds of bowlers sent balls crashing down the lanes at Spare Time Family Fun Center on Sunday, but it wasn’t just because they wanted to rack up the best score.
The 27th annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraiser, held over the past two weekends, raised more than $83,000 for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program that provides mentors to children in Warren, Washington and northern Saratoga counties.
"We’re a donor- and volunteer-supported organization. We need to fundraise to have the program," said Bobbie Leonardi, event specialist for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks.
The local branch of the organization has three paid staff members now and relies heavily on fundraising and volunteers to provide services. Adults are matched with children to be mentors in both the community and at school-based programs.
A total of about 150 teams and 600 bowlers participated in this year’s event. The money raised at the bowling fundraiser is critical, Leonardi said, as it makes up about 60 percent of the local branch’s annual operating budget.
Student participants were asked to raise at least $50, while older participants were asked to raise at least $75. Last year, the event generated $82,000, while the previous year it brought in more than $90,000 for the organization, said Scott Flagel, a past president and current board member.
Davidson Brothers Restaurant and Brewery fielded 24 teams, raising $18,000, or about 20 percent of the total amount raised, Flagel said.
Rachel Wolfield, interim executive director of the organization, said mentored kids are more likely to stay in school, exceed in school and avoid risky behaviors. The organization targets children aged 6 to 14, and there is always a need for mentors, especially men.
"There’s a waiting list, especially for boys," Wolfield said. "Boys tend to wait longer than little sisters do (for matches)."
Warren Cutler, a board member and a big brother, has had three different matches over the past 12 years. He’s taken his mentees on many outdoor activities, he said.
"It’s always cool to build a trusting relationship," he said. "It sort of helps them grow up; it’s a guiding relationship."
Jen Denis has been involved in the bowling event for a few years and became a big sister with the organization about a year ago. She has taken her little sister golfing, to children’s museums, to Six Flags Great Escape, and they’ve baked cookies together.
The organization advises participants to get together twice a month, and Denis also talks to her match on the phone weekly. It’s something Denis thinks has benefited both of them, she said.
"She seems to enjoy it," Denis said. "And I get to do a lot of the fun activities as she does (them)."
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