Bowling for Kids fundraiser raises over $42,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters
Glasses clinked and pins scattered as Big Brothers Big Sisters Carleton-York held their first Bowling for Kids Sake fundraiser since the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was held on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Woodstock Bowlacade in Jacksonville
Big Brothers and Big Sisters provide a variety of activities for youth aged six to 16 throughout the community, including the Thrive program, which, in collaboration with the town of Woodstock, provides a free day camp twice a week during the summer and their popular matching program which matches children with mentors in the community.
“We have about 46 matches, and not that many years ago, we had seven,” said Big Brothers Big Sisters Carlton-York president Karen Taylor.
This dramatic increase in matches was only possible due to the support that Big Brothers and Sisters got from the local community.
The event featured 27 teams, each raising a minimum of $300 for Big Brothers and Sisters.
Woodstock’s finest attended, with teams from the fire and police departments joining many businesses supporting the event.
The money raised from teams and donations from local businesses such as Brennan Farms and Avondale Kitchens resulted in a jaw-dropping final tally of $42,518.
The success of this event is critical as Big Brothers Big Sisters is funded exclusively through charitable donations from the community. Many who took part in the bowling fundraiser believe in the charity.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters is a fantastic organization that helps many youth in our area,” said Tanya Cloutier, the Day & Ross Strikers captain.
