This year’s Bowl for Kids’ Sake Bowl-A-Thon, themed “Spare Time for Kids,” was a resounding success, raising more than $39,000 to support youth mentoring programs through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County. The event took place at Bel-Mar Lanes in Sidney and McBo’s Lanes in Versailles, bringing together community members for a fun and meaningful day of bowling in support of local youth.
More than 240 bowlers participated, forming 48 teams across Shelby and Darke counties. A special shout-out goes to our top bowler, Brian Green from the City of Sidney, who scored an impressive 226.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County extends heartfelt thanks to the many local businesses and organizations that supported this event.
Our Game Changers sponsors included Carstar of Sidney-Troy-Piqua, City of Sidney Employees, Meyer’s Garage and Drive Thru, Midwest Ohio Dental, Premier Photo Journalism, S&S Management, and Sidney Elks Lodge #786.
We also recognize our Defenders of Potential, including Durmell Maier Law, FGKS Law, Goat Farmers, Hydro Aluminum, MJS Plastics, Schafer Oil Company, Sidney Electric, State Farm Insurance by Andrew Shaffer, Tri-County Veterinary Services, and Wayne Healthcare.
Additional support came from our Youth Empowers and Mission Advocates, including AAA of Shelby County, Cargill, Ernst Apparel, GNB Banking Centers, Greenville VFW, K&K Designs, Kiwanis Club of Sidney, Mutual Federal Bank, Out West Drive Thru, Reliable Business Solutions, Shelby County Agricultural Society, Shelby County Democratic Party, Shelby County Developmental Disabilities Employees, and others.
Our Musketeers sponsors also helped strike a difference, including Airstream, Bruns Animal Clinic, Cal-Main Foods, Carl Hunt Custom Butchering, KTH Parts Industries, The Andersons, Tom and Jerry’s, Tooling Technology, Versailles Eagles Auxiliary #2347, Wayne Builders Supply, and many more.
A special thank you goes to Bel-Mar Lanes and McBo’s Lanes for being amazing hosts year after year. Their continued support and welcoming staff help make this event possible.
This year’s event also saw strong fundraising efforts from participants, with bowlers collecting more than $7,000 in pledges to further support Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission. Employees from the City of Sidney and Meyer’s Garage and Drive Thru were top contributors. Bowlers who participated in the pledge challenge were entered into prize drawings, and Carla Wolaver was selected as the winner.
The City of Sidney employees have been dedicated participants since 2008, raising more than $47,000 for the cause over the past 18 years. This year, they reserved 10 lanes for their teams.
Brian Green, Street Superintendent for the City of Sidney and squad leader since 2008, shared some impressive bowling statistics from their participation: 172 different bowlers, 716 games, and 86,640 pins knocked down, resulting in an average score of 118.2.
“It is a fantastic way to get our employees involved, contribute to a good cause, and have fun outside of our work environment,” said Green. He also encourages other corporations and organizations to form teams and participate next year.
“In a world that can feel chaotic and uncertain, one of the most meaningful things we can do is invest in the young people right here in our own community,” said the BFKS Chair, Mitchell Meyer. “Big Brothers Big Sisters shows that mentorship changes lives, not just for the youth, but often for the adults who step forward as well. And getting involved does not take a huge commitment. Sometimes it starts with something as simple as bowling a few frames with friends and neighbors at Bowl For Kids’ Sake. We are incredibly grateful to the many local businesses and community members who support this event with their time, services, and generosity.”
Although the event has concluded, there is still time for community members to help make an impact. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County is very close to reaching its $40,000 fundraising goal, and donations are still being accepted. Community members who would like to support local youth mentoring programs can donate today by visiting the organization’s website.
“Thank you to everyone who spared time for kids,” said April Brubaker, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County. “Your support directly impacts families, schools, neighborhoods, and communities. Thanks to our amazing supporters, we can continue to create and nurture one-to-one mentoring relationships that help ignite the power and promise of youth. Together, we are empowering the next generation to achieve their full potential.”
Stay tuned for more exciting updates from Big Brothers Big Sisters, including the Summer Mini Carnival & Duck Derby on Sunday, June 14 at Tawawa Park starting at 4:30 p.m., the organization’s next major community event.
Click here for all photos of the Sidney-Event
Click here for all photos of the Versailles Event
