Big Brothers/Big Sisters Thanks Bowlers


Big Brothers Big Sisters of McKean County would like to thank the businesses and individuals who participated and donated in Bowl For Kids’ Sake 2013. Bowl For Kids’ Sake is our largest annual fundraiser that took place on March 23, 2013 at Byllye Lanes in Bradford. Funds raised will support ongoing professional match support for one on one matches between adult volunteers and youth in need of an additional positive adult role model throughout McKean County.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is an evidence-based mentoring program shown to prevent substance abuse and anti-social behavior among youth. Served youth show significant improvements in school attendance, academic performance, involvement with positive school and community activities, self-esteem, interpersonal and problem solving skills, and future planning and goal setting. Served youth are also much more likely to develop friendships with positive peers and have improved relationships with family members. It costs approximately $1,800 per year to support a match. In McKean County, Big Brothers Big Sisters currently serves 21 matches with 28 children on the waiting list for a mentor.

A total of 56 teams turned out to bowl at this year’s event in McKean County. With individual bowler donations and business sponsorships, Bowl For Kids’ Sake raised a total gross amount of $20,783 for the McKean County mentoring program. An additional in-kind donations including prizes, food, banners and other supplies, valued at approximately $2,695, supported the event’s success. Individual bowlers brought in $14,318 while business sponsors donated an additional $6,465.

Each individual bowler was asked to raise a minimum of $35. Staff and children involved in the Independent Living program of the McKean County Department of Human Services raised nearly $2,877 of the total amount raised by bowlers and contributed prizes to the event. The individual bowlers that raised the most money were 1st place, Brenda Bloomgren who raised $ $567.00, 2nd place went to Stacey Gallagaher who raised $500, and Tiffany Swanson took 3rd raising $458. Those bowlers raising the most money received prize packages containing Kwik Fill and Corsby’s gas cards, Tops Friendly Market and Save-A-Loy grocery gift certificates, and Wal-Mart gift cards. Every participant enjoyed two bowling games, shoe rental, food, lots of entertainment, and tons of prize giveaways.

This year’s event sponsors included Championship sponsors, American Refining Group and the Kane Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie #307. Perfect game sponsors included WESB, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, and Little Caesars, who donated the pizza for this year’s event. Strike sponsors include Close’s Lumber, Asel Enterprises Inc, Kiwanis Club of Bradford, Smethport VFW #2497, Kwik Fill, Straub Brewery, Byllye Lanes, and the Bradford Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie # 2432. Spare sponsors were Pine Haven Veterinary Clinic, W.E. Swanson Agency, Zook Motors, Kwik fill, Zippo/Case Museum, Northwest Savings Bank, General Roofing Co, Burns & Burns Associates Inc, Cutco-Ka-Bar Visitor Center, Kane Lions Club, KOA Speer Electronics, Marche Club, McKean County Animal Hospital, Mount Jewett Veterans Memorial Club, Mount Jewett VFW Post 6347, Mount Jewett Rotary Club, and the Smethport Rotary Club. Thank you to all of these businesses, the additional general donors and the many, many more businesses that donated prizes for supporting Bowl For Kids’ Sake and the Big Brothers Big Sisters of McKean County.

If you or your organization is interested learning how to participate in or donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters of McKean County, please call Big Brothers Big Sisters toll-free at 1.877.776.1636.

Pictured, three of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters matched pairs that bowled this year; and McKean County District Attorney Ray Learn.
Photos courtesy of Big Brothers/Big Sisters

The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Comments

Online Bowling said…
Way to go Big Brothers/Big Sisters!
Unknown said…
Thanks! We are so appreciative of the McKean County community for their support!

Annie Wolfe

Popular posts from this blog

Woman Charged with Posting
Nude Picture on Facebook

Arrests in Operation Diamond Drop

Two Arrested on Drug Charges