Big Brothers Big Sisters of Effingham County held their 8th Annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake fundraiser on Thursday at Pagel Silver Dollar Lanes in Effingham. The event featured a “Back to the Eighties Theme” and raised over $2000 for the organization. According to Christy Mesnard, Program Coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Effingham County, the organization provides “mentoring services” for local kids.
Mentors can choose from a number of activities that them and their “littles” are interested in, although all activities must be approved by the little’s parent. Mesnard said activities could be anything from biking, to attending ballgames, to visiting the local library.
The organization doesn’t receive any and state or federal funding, so fundraisers like Bowl for Kids’ Sake and local grants play a large role in the group’s ability to offer their services to the community. According to Mesnard, local funding supports the program by allowing them screen potential mentors as well as offering some support to offset the costs of activities.
Thursday’s event is just one of many fundraisers put on by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Effingham County. According to Mesnard, the next event for the local group is Glow Bingo on May 6th at the Carriage House in Altamont.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Effingham County is always looking for volunteers to serve as mentors for kids in the program, but according to Mesnard there are other ways to volunteer with the group, such as working events like Bowl For Kids’ Sake.
Anyone interested in helping out with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Effingham County can reach them through their Facebook page, or call their office at 217-540-1413.