Tim Hortons Bowl for Kids seeking teams for fundraiser

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By Marla Shook

EMC Events - Tim Hortons Bowl for Kids Sake had attracted 183 teams as of the second week of the campaign. And there's still room for more.

The 32nd annual fundraiser is Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County's largest of the year, takes place Feb. 25 and has upped the ante this year - the goal is to raise $70,000.

So gather your friends, register with BBBS and start collecting pledges. This can be done in a variety of ways, from family, friends, co-workers, employers, neighbours, through fun events or online. Visit the Bowl for Kids website at http://lanarkcounty.kintera.org/bfks and create a team site. Connect to potential donors by sending out emails to those near and far. Those wishing to donate can do so directly online.

Teams should call the BBBS office directly (613-283-0570), (not the bowling lanes), to book their lanes. Once again this year the event is taking place in Carleton Place at Vision Lanes, Gratton Lanes in Smiths Falls and Alley Cats in Perth.

"We will accommodate everybody," Jennifer Miller, executive director for the agency emphasized. Last year's event saw 205 teams incorporating 650 participants.

"We are hoping to top that this year," Miller added. Last year Smiths Falls brought in the most donations followed closely behind by Perth and then Carleton Place.

"Most town councils are participating," Miller pointed out. Last year the council for the town of Smiths Falls interrupted a budget meeting to come out and bowl.

The Smiths Falls Midget Bears, two teams, are coming out this year and Miller is hoping both Perth and Carleton Place will sign their hockey teams up to take part.

There is currently a challenge amongst the large banks in Carleton Place, and there is a teachers' challenge on currently in Smiths Falls, she said.

Those who do not want to bowl, but do want to take part - Miller explained BBBS has two in house Wii kits. Teams can call and book them for a Wii party if they wish.

Those who can't bowl also have the opportunity to sponsor a lane for $100, donate a door prize, become a corporate sponsor or make a donation to a team.

Donations over $15 will receive a tax receipt.

Bowling day there will be lots of door prizes to be won, surprises, music and above all else - fun. There is also a prize pyramid - participants receive certain prizes as they reach certain pledge levels.

Wayne Rostad is lending his support once again this year. Having bowled a few games Jan. 24 at Gratton Lanes in Smiths Falls, he donated his time to tape a TV and radio commercial for the event with Cogeco and Jack FM.

The agency now has over 300 matches, which has grown substantially from the 51 matches which existed in 2007. The waiting list is also being "whittled down," Miller explained, elaborating even the wait time on the waiting list is being shortened.

"Wait times have been cut in half," she stressed.

Taking a new approach now, the agency is inviting parents to register their children "if the child has self esteem issues or is lonely, if there is a single parent or a parent with a disability this may be part of the solution."

And as more children are being served - new programs have been introduced as well. There is a music mentoring program, a clowning program, craft clubs as well as the traditional matching programs. The Go Girls and Game On programs are also self esteem building and talk about healthy eating and other topics. "There is a lot of new energy. A lot of determination," Miller noted.

And it is serving those over 300 children where fundraisers like Tim Hortons Bowl for Kids Sake come in. This is the largest fundraiser for the non profit this year - bringing in approximately 30 per cent of the agency's annual revenue.

New this year, was a launch party, held yesterday in Carleton Place at Valley BBQ. The event featured Nintendo Wii bowling, challenges, prizes as well as food.

Corporate sponsors have covered all the overhead costs of the event, which means that all funds raised by teams go directly to fund mentoring programs for local children. These sponsors include, Crain & Schooley Insurance Brokers, Prodecal, Cogeco, Hinton Dodge Chrysler, EMC Record News, Kilmarnock Enterprises, Lake 88, Holland Valley Tile, Canada Trust Carleton Place, and Jack FM. The title sponsor this year is Tim Hortons.

For more information, visit the agency's website at www.bigbrothersbigsisterslanark.ca or call the office today at the number listed above.