BIRMINGHAM, AL- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham has partnered with several local Birmingham businesses for their annual bowl-a-thon fundraising event to support their youth mentoring program(s). Gene Bartow is proud to support Big Brothers Big Sisters’ signature event as the 2010 honorary Chairman for Bowl for Kids’ Sake. In addition to the traditional Bowl for Kids’ Sake in which companies, individuals and local organizations reserve a date and time at a local bowling center, the organization has added a new component this year, Wii Bowl for Kids’ Sake house parties individuals can host a party at their home where they will play Nintendo Wii Bowl and collect donations for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

 

Both activities are fundraising opportunities for the organization in which proceeds support their existing matches by enabling the agency’s trained professionals to provide ongoing support to volunteers, children and their families. Funds also contribute to recruitment, screening and training of new volunteer mentors for their traditional and school based programs. The traditional Bowl for Kids’ Sake option requires a company coordinator to recruit 4-5 team members within their company and engage in online and in-person fundraising with a minimum goal of $50 per bowler. Wii Bowl for Kids’ Sake simply requires a minimum $50 donation to participate and then provides flexibility in the party’s theme, food, date, length, etc.

 

Big Brothers Big Sisters is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America with over 400 agencies world wide. The Greater Birmingham Chapter is a United Way Agency and depends heavily on their fundraising efforts, Bowl for Kids Sake being their largest fundraiser to date. “The Wii Bowl Parties are a fun and new element we have added to fundraising this year and we are getting a great response already,” said Kimberly Vetrano, Development Coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters. “We have partnered with Rent-A-Center and can provide a Nintendo Wii Console and a big screen TV for those participants without access to the game or large television for hosting the Wii Party.” Both events are equally important to the organization making up the largest portion of their fundraising efforts annually.

 

Dates available for traditional Bowl for Kids’ Sake are February 19, 20, 26 and 27 and March 5, 6, 12 and 13 although dates are flexible based upon each company’s availability. Big Brothers Big Sisters welcomes donations and encourages participation in all fundraising events. The organization is also in need of Big Brothers for the many boys waiting to be matched with a male mentor. For more information on becoming a mentor, donating or fundraising opportunities please visit www.bbbsbhm.org . If you are interested in Bowl for Kids’ Sake or Wii Bowl For Kids’ Sake, please contact Kimberly Vetrano at kvetrano@bbbsbhm.org .

 

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Big Brothers Big Sisters is a one to one youth mentoring program that provides adults role models for children in need of positive influences in their lives. These relationships allow children to develop sound values, positive self esteem and become productive members in our community. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham has been serving the children of Central Alabama for over 35 years.