Big Brothers Big Sisters of Blair County has scheduled its 20th annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake Community Days Bowl-a-thon on Saturday, April 3 at Pleasant Valley Bowling Center, from 3-5 p.m. and Thursday, May 6 at Holiday Bowl from 6-9 p.m.
Individual teams made up of friends, family and co-workers, as well as businesses, schools, clubs and organizations from the community are invited to participate in this year’s event. Individuals can link their names to this worthwhile cause, help the children in the community and help to celebrate 20 years of Bowl for Kids’ Sake. Last year over 30 teams participated.
Join teams who have already signed up from Penn State Altoona, Altoona School District and Key Club, Old Navy, Morgan Sign and Cashman and Associates, as well as individual teams.
Teams of four to six bowlers can sign up to come out and bowl one game for the kids, on either night. Each bowler is asked to raise a minimum of $30 or $150 per team, by collecting pledges for the one game bowled. Bowlers are eligible to win prizes based on the money they raise. All team captains will receive a Bowl for Kids’ Sake T-shirt. The top three money raisers will win additional prizes. Additional prize drawings will take place during both evenings, as well as a trivia contest and crazy bowling. Music for this year’s event will be provided by local DJ’s, Deuce DJ Service and Dennie Huber.
If individuals are unable to put a team together but would like to support Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids’ Sake, they may purchase a lane sign with a company or organization’s name, which will hang over the lanes on the night of the Bowl-a-thon.
Food, refreshments, tons of door prizes, entertainment, contests and lots of fun will be available both evenings.
Reliance Bank is this year’s Bowl for Kids’ Sake Community Days event sponsor. Corporate sponsors for the event include: McDonald’s, Airtight Garage Door Company, Jeff Rhodes’ Deuce DJ Service, Pleasant Valley Bowling Center and Holiday Bowl.
All proceeds from this year’s Bowl For Kids’ Sake Community Days stay in Blair County to help the local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency provide programs, services and activities to the over 200 children from single-parent families involved.
For more information on signing up a team for this year’s Bowl For Kids’ Sake Community Days or for purchasing a lane sign, contact the agency at 944-6129 or online at KKelleyBBBS @aol.com. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a United Way agency.
This is a special year for Big Brothers Big Sisters as it marks the organization’s 100th Anniversary throughout the United States and the 40th Anniversary for the organization in Blair County. Currently, the Agency serves over 250 children each year in Blair and Huntingdon counties.
“The main service we provide is the one-on-one mentoring service from Big Brothers to Little Brothers,” said executive director Karen Kelley. “It’s basically a friendship that’s formed.”
According to Kelley, Big Brothers Big Sisters is in the planning stages for numerous anniversary celebration activities throughout the year.
Besides the Bowl-a-thon, Big Brothers Big Sisters in conjunction with the Altoona Curve has scheduled a day at a Curve baseball game on June 9. A representative from Big Brothers Big Sisters will be on hand to throw out the first pitch, and other activities are planned for that event as well.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is also in need of volunteers. According to Kelley, there are currently 70 children on the waiting list for a Big Brother or Big Sister. Married couples are encouraged to apply as well.
For more information on volunteer opportunities, contact Kelley at 944-6129 or email her at KKelleyBBBS@aol.com.
