Residents are lacing up their shoes and taking to the lanes in support of local mentoring programs.
The Okotoks Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is hosting it s annual – and only – fundraiser, Bowl for Kids Sake at Millennium Lanes on Mar. 13 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Okotoks BBBS program co-ordinator Laura Padget said the event raised $10,000 in pledges, with 75 bowlers making up 13 teams.
“It goes to all mentoring programs in Okotoks, so all the money raised stays local and is used to benefit school and community programs,” she said.
The organization currently operates two in-school teen mentoring programs in town – one at École Okotoks Junior High School and École Percy Pegler School, and one at Foothills Composite High School and Westmount School. These programs see junior high or high school students mentoring elementary school students during school hours.
The community program also matches adult volunteers are matched with children in town to engage in activities from going to the park to seeing movies or helping with homework.
“Some of our core messages and impact is that boys with Big Brothers are less likely to suffer from peer pressure,” said Padget. “Girls are four times less likely to bully, lie or express anger.”
She said statistics also show boys are twice as likely to believe school is fun and education is important, and they are two times less likely to develop negative behaviour.
According to stats released by a consulting firm, children who have gone through the BBBS program also show success later in life, she said. About 63 per cent have post-secondary education and 66 per cent volunteer in the community as an adult, and the majority report being happy and pursuing healthier lifestyles, she said.
“We have a mission, a vision, that all children would have a mentor and have the benefits of mentorship,” said Padget. “This fundraiser helps us get one step closer to that goal by allowing us to expand and continue our programming.”
Teams of four to six people can register for Bowl for Kids Sake at www.bbbscalgary.ca.
The event is limited to 20 teams, and each team member is responsible for raising pledges individually. Every bowler must raise a minimum of $100, she said.
Pledges can be made online once a team has registered.
For more information, or to volunteer as a mentor with BBBS, email Laura Padget at [email protected].
