Big Brothers Big Sisters’ annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake fundraiser drew about 200 people to the event Saturday.
Shelley Schwab, chief development officer, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana, said Saturday’s event was split into two bowling sessions with 16 teams of five members each in each session.
Bowl for Kids’ Sake is a nationwide event BBBS had held annually for roughly 50 years.
Each session had two hours of bowling, music, prizes, food and drinks.
The goal is to raise $250,000 in five counties. Saturday was the first day for the fundraiser with events in Kosciusko, Noble and Allen counties.
“Before we came in this morning, we were at $160,000,” Schwab said. All the money raised at Warsaw’s event will go straight back to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kosciusko County.
The money will be used to recruit volunteers, get volunteering training and support the current matches, said Tammy Smith, Kosciusko County community development director. There are 27 children that are ready to be matched and another 71 in the process of applying to BBBS. There are 127 children that are currently matched up with a Big Brother or Big Sister.
The beauty of the event is it allows BBBS to go out into the community and create awareness for BBBS, Schwab said. It also gives everyone an opportunity to support the organization.
Smith said the fundraiser is a great way for people to learn about the needs of the children in the community and how to get involved.
Just showing up consistently for a kid can make changes in the kid’s life. Data shows kids who have adults consistent in their life have higher graduation rates, less risk-taking behaviors as teenagers and improvements in school work and behavior, Smith said.