The Maple Leaf team, from left to right: Zach Tucker, Scott Tucker and Wende Tucker, Tom and Lorinda Kline, Kenn Baker and Andrea Payton.

By TRINA HOY
Community Development Director, Kosciusko County Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to thank the more than 200 bowlers who helped start something by participating in Bowl for Kids’ Sake in Kosciusko County in March and the ambassador committee who worked tirelessly to make it special. The event raised over $25,000, which will help support Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs making a positive long lasting impact on the children of Kosciusko County.

Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to give special thanks to our corporate bowling teams who’s employees helped raise money and came out to bowl: Kohl’s, PNC Bank, Maple Leaf Farms, Jeans Scene, MutualBank, Indiana Physical Therapy, Teachers Credit Union, Bowen Center, Penguin Point, Medtronic, American Legion Post 253 and Biomet. Special thanks and recognition to the Volunteer Firefighter’s Association of Kosciusko County for not only their dedication to keeping the citizens of Kosciusko County safe, but for once again making a huge impact in the success of this event by helping raise funds and filling bowling lanes.

Big Brothers Big Sisters would also like to express appreciation for this year’s Bowl for Kids’ Sake local sponsors and supporters for their generosity and dedication in making a difference through the event. These include: Lake City Radio, Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club, Biomet, Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Kosciusko Community Hospital, Micropulse, Paragon Medical, Silveus Insurance Group, The Bowling Alley, Kohl’s, PDQ Workholding, American Legion Post 253 and Maple Leaf Farms.

Door prizes created more fun for the bowling participants and were donated by: Wings Etc., Wendy’s, Schoops, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut, Warsaw Performing Arts Center and Dairy Queen.

Corporate partnerships include: 97.3 WMEE, Evans Toyota, WFFT Fox Local, AEP Indiana Michigan Power Co., Lutheran Health Network, Thunder Bowl No. 1, the Grainger Foundation, Kohl’s, Lawrence Building Corp, Sweetwater, and OmniSource. Our programs would not be possible without the support of our corporate partners.

Studies show the majority of children who are recommended to Big Brothers Big Sisters have the greatest need with the least opportunity. They sometimes come from poverty and possess risk factors such as living in a single-parent family, having trouble making friends, or showing difficulties in academic progress. Big Brothers Big Sisters is boldly moving forward through events like Bowl for Kids’ Sake to create brighter futures and stronger communities through the power of mentoring in Kosciusko County.

To all who impacted Big Brothers Big Sisters in Kosciusko County through the Bowl for Kids’ Sake event, your contribution is deeply appreciated.

Learn more about how you can positively impact a child’s life through Big Brothers Big Sisters, donate, or volunteer in Kosciusko County by contacting Trina Hoy at [email protected], call (574) 551-6386, or visit www.bbbsnei.org.