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OAKLAND — Nearly 200 teams in Kennebec and Somerset counties came out to Bowl For Kids’ Sake on May 1 through 6, raising more than $112,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters Mid-Maine.
Events were held in Skowhegan, Augusta and Hallowell. Proceeds from Bowl for Kids’ Sake will directly support the agency’s school, site and community-based 1-to-1 mentoring programs that serve over 100 children facing adversity in the Kennebec Valley, said a news release.
Kennebec Valley’s bowling fundraiser was among four regional Bowl for Kids’ Sake events held in Midcoast, Androscoggin County and a final event slated for early November in Penobscot County. Bowlers dressed up as “super heroes” in honor of all who support local youth through BBBS. Bowl for Kids’ Sake is Big Brothers Big Sisters’ largest annual fundraising effort, expected to raise $290,000, the release said. The first three events have raised $240,000.
BBBS of Mid-Maine’s Executive Director Gwendolyn Hudson said money raised at Bowl for Kids’ Sake are critical in the agency’s work to create and support strong and enduring relationships between kids facing adversity (Littles) and their teen and adult mentors (Bigs).
“Half of our annual operating budget is funded through generous community supporters who sponsor and participate in Bowl for Kids’ Sake every year,” Hudson said. “We are grateful for their continued support, which allows us to offer our successful mentoring programs free of charge to children and families who benefit most. ”
The event, held in memory of Cassidy Charette, who was killed in a hayride accident in 2014, helps fund local site and school-based programs pairing kids with high school mentors from Gardiner, Augusta, Skowhegan, Oakland, Waterville, Winslow and Fairfield, and supports community-based matches between children and adults throughout Kennebec and Somerset counties. Top fundraisers were recognized recently at a recognition lunch.
Top individual fundraisers were Rick Eskelund, BBBS Community-Based Big Brother, $1,570; Jess LePage, New Balance Norridgewock, $1,429; and Stephanie Wilcott, Gardiner Hannaford, $809.
The top fundraising businesses with multiple teams were New Balance (18 teams), $22,065; Hannaford (48 teams), $12,392; Kennebec Savings Bank (10 teams), $5,455; Camden National Bank (10 teams), $4,035.
The top fundraising teams were New Balance, Norridgewock Team Silver Bells (Robin McFarland), $1,788; New Balance, Norridgewock Team Alley Cats (Marty Meader), $1,240; Hannaford, JFK (Catherine Sealey), $1,230.
For more information about Bowl for Kids’ Sake, enrolling a child or becoming a volunteer or mentor, call 236-BBBS (2227) or email info@bbbsmidmaine.org.
PHOTO CUTLINES:
New Balance employees gather for a celebratory selfie at Bowl for Kids’ Sake on May 2 at Central Maine Family Fun Bowling Center in Skowhegan. New Balance, in Norridgewock and Skowhegan, was recognized for being the top fundraising business in Kennebec Valley, with 18 teams raising a record $22,065 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine. (Submitted photo)
