Bowl for Kids Sake – March 2008
You don’t have to change your life to change the life of a child. You might think that’s not true, but it is. For volunteers with Big Brothers and Big Sisters in the Cowichan Valley and Central Vancouver Island area, becoming a mentor simply means spending time with a young person who needs some guidance.
“We currently have 14 boys and 3 girls waiting,” said Erin Generous, Executive Director for the Cowichan agency. “Our boys can wait up to 4 years for a match and many do not have an opportunity to be matched as they grow out of the program.”
Further north on the Island, it’s a similar story but with bigger numbers.
“Right now we have 80 boys waiting for Big Brothers,” said Paulyne Robinson, Program Director in the Nanaimo office. “We realize that there are some myths out there about the commitment or lifestyle that it takes to become a mentor.”
Those myths include:
- I have to be a successful business man or something
- You only have to be a caring person. All you only need to do is share your time.
- I have to spend tons of time
- We ask that you spend 2 – 4 hours per week with your “Little” and, yes, you can take your regular vacation
- I need to be rich to afford it
- There are so many things you can do that don’t cost money.
“We are thrilled to team up with Arbutus RV to spread the word about how you can change the life of a child,” said Robinson. “And to let you know about a fun event that will help us cover the program costs.”
Bowl for Kids Sake is an annual event that happens each Spring across Canada. Teams of four or five either dress in their company logo wear, or in the theme for that agency and bowl for one hour. But, previous to that, they raise money through pledge sponsors.
Cowichan Valley:
Shawnigan Lake School sponsoring the 7th Annual Bowl for Kids Sake . . .
Sunday March 2nd at Duncan Lanes on James Street from 1:00p.m. - 3:00p.m.
Every participant has a chance to win two Canuck tickets for every $100 raised.
Please contact our office to enter your team today. 127 Ingram Street Unit #24 Duncan, B.C. V9L 1N8 Call Erin at 250-748-2447 www.bbbscowichan.ca
Central Vancouver Island:
Get out your 70’s Disco Duds and let’s PARTY!
Sunday, March 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. your team can slip on some bowling shoes sponsored by Thrifty Foods, and try to win two tickets anywhere in Canada that WestJet flies. For every $50 a bowler raises, their name goes in once. And, every bowler’s sponsor who gives $50 or more has THEIR name go in. It all happens at: Splitsville Entertainment on the corner of Jinglepot and Calder.
Call Joanne at 753.1306 or Paulyne at 756.2447 to register. Or, register online at: http://www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/bbbsvancouver/
So, c’mon Islanders. Strike it BIG! Register to bowl, sponsor a bowler, or be a corporate sponsor and let us highlight your products and services!
Or, be a hero, and be a BIG!
