Local residents, businesses and organizations showed their support for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Innisfail during the annual Bowl For Kids fundraising event on March 19.
“We raised $40,000 this year. Our goal was to bring in about $80,000 but that was based on 96 teams,” said executive director Tim Howard. “Last year we raised $39,000.”
The Bowl For Kids fundraiser has been a part of the Innisfail community for 29 years, said Howard, noting a total of 46 teams had registered for the event this year.
“We had 45 last year so we're one up from last year and we had 10 (teams) in Olds three weeks ago,” he added.
Bowl For Kids is the largest fundraising event for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Innisfail and brings in thousands of dollars each year. Participants collect pledges as part of the teams' commitment to raise funds for the event.
Money raised will go towards operations for the non-profit organization. A large portion of costs involves staffing, noted Howard.
“We provide professional social service staff to administer, manage and supervise the matches with the children. Our priority is safety for our kids,” he said, adding the agency serves a total of 183 children.
Local families, businesses, community associations, organizations, church groups and schools all took part in Bowl For Kids on March 19.
Big Sister Jessica Puirch, a new volunteer, was out bowling with her little sister.
“She was super excited to come bowling,” said Puirch. “I think it's important to help keep the program going so we can get more volunteers and more matches with the kids who are waiting for matches in town,” she added.
“It's good for the public to see Big Brothers and Big Sisters out in the community doing (fundraising events) like this one.”
Howard said the Bowl For Kids fundraiser has a big impact for the organization and makes a significant difference in the lives of boys and girls who may need a little extra love, support and guidance in life.
“The success of an event like this is really so important for us. We are completely and one hundred per cent dependent on donations and support from the community,” said Howard, adding that several Bowl For Kids events are held every spring across the country.
“This event is critical for us,” he added, noting the large number of teams that participate in the annual fundraiser and the support they show for the organization.
“They understand that what we provide to the community is critical,” said Howard. “Those kind of services helps those kids and gives them a good foundation for their future.”
Tim Howard
"The success of an event like this is really so important for us. We are completely and one hundred per cent dependent on donations and support from the community
."
