Bowl For Kids’ Sake is riding into town — this time with a rootin’ tootin’ Wild West theme — and has a stop in Kosciusko County.
It’s a simple setup: bowlers form a team of five with friends, family, and/or coworkers, each raising $100 for a total of $500 per team. It's as easy as asking five friends for $20 or asking 10 friends for $10. Then, teams attend their chosen bowling session where they are greeted with a trailblazin’ showdown complete with free bowling, pizza, and pop or beer.
Everyone will walk home with a prize, including whoever comes in the best Wild West outfits! If you missed out on the fun last year, there is still time to sign up!
This event is a great way to bring people together to contribute to the future of the community, as all funds stay in the counties they were raised in. By fundraising or donating to Big Brothers Big Sisters, you are helping create and support matches near you just like Little Brother Andrew and Big Brother Jeremy.
Jeremy moved to Kosciusko during the height of the pandemic, which greatly influenced his first year’s experience there. Working from home and with many social gatherings halted, Jeremy was unable to become as involved in the community as he wanted to be. When he learned about Big Brothers Big Sisters through work and attending The BIG Celebration, he signed up to be a Big Brother, looking for more ways to engage in what his new home had to offer.
Andrew was just excited to get to know someone outside his family and gain another friend in his life that he could count on.
“I wanted a Big Brother to have some more fun in my life,” said Little Brother Andrew.
When Jeremy and Andrew got to know each other, it was very clear why they were matched. The two are a pair of go-getters, always looking to get involved in groups, clubs and extracurriculars. Andrew also likes how fun his Big Brother is, saying, “He is kind, and he is also funny because he talks about the stories that happened to him in the past.”
Now friends for over two years, they have a few go-to’s for when they hang out together, which include gas station snacks, board games, movies or painting.
“I think that every child could use another adult in their corner, regardless of the support system that they already have in place. Having an additional adult figure in a child's life that can support, encourage, listen and give direct time can make a big difference,” Jeremy said.
Andrew’s mom sees the difference mentorship has made in both Andrew and Jeremy’s lives, saying, “I think Jeremy looks forward to having some time with Andrew too, and it's amazing how maybe an hour or an hour and a half of your time makes a big difference to the other person. That quality time they spend, even if it's just a little thing they do, makes a big difference. And I can see how happy Andrew comes back.”
Contact Randi Bebout at [email protected] or 260-203-3330 to sign up for a Bowl For Kids’ Sake team. Go to www.bbbsnei.org and click on the Bowl For Kids’ Sake link to donate or get involved. We can’t wait for you to join us by saddling up, fundraising, bowling, and partying — all for kids’ sake!