Big Brothers Big Sisters is working around the COVID-19 pandemic, taking their biggest fundraiser of the year virtual.
Bowl for Kids’ Sake is one of the organization’s largest annual fundraisers, raising money through participants having pledge drives in the community before they bowl. It usually takes months of planning, finding sponsors and building bowling teams, which Director of Service Delivery Jaqueline Weed says they had to adapt on short notice because of the pandemic.
That said, she explains that the show will be going on as planned, even though doing it digitally is something new for them.
“We’re looking forward to it. I think it provides a lot of options for people, maybe people who weren’t available to bowl that night, or are by themselves and don’t have enough people for a team. So it provides some flexibility, I think, and I think it will be a lot of fun.”
The event will now take place between July 15th and 22nd, and players are encouraged to bowl in whatever way they can. People can set up physical bowling at home using anything from a bowling set to household objects.
People can also do it virtually on Wii Bowling, online games or a bowling app Big Brothers Big Sisters has.They’ll then video themselves doing it and their score, which they send to BBBS.
Bowl For Kids’ Sake also has a theme, this year’s being “Fandemonium.” Bowlers can dress up as their favourite sports team and will be given a prize for best costume. Prizes will also be given out to bowlers with the highest score, and whoever raises the most donations.
Weed adds that all the donations go towards them being able to continue helping their kids through the pandemic, and beyond.
“They’ll go towards our virtual mentoring program. All of our matches have been meeting virtually since March 17th, so it’ll go to support those matches that are currently running, and then creating new ones as well for the children who are on the waiting list.”
People interested can sign up and get their pledge forms by emailing Big Brothers Big Sisters Lloydminster or calling them.