Bowling Pin Heroes
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass
Helps Kids Get Creative for a Good Cause

March 8, 2009, Niles, Michigan – As part of the upcoming Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl For Kids’ Sake fundraiser event, children ages 6-12 years old participated in a bowling pin-painting project this past Saturday, March 7th at the Buchanan Art Center. Each child selected and creatively painted a bowling pin with a ‘hero of the community’ sketched on it. Students selected heroes such as: a teacher; an artist; a pilot; a librarian; a postal carrier; and a veterinarian. Karen Marsman, a Big Sister since 2005, accompanied her Little Sister, Kora, who painted a veterinarian hero-pin.

Sue Armstrong, Senior Case Manager at BBBS, stated that “the relationships our Bigs establish with their Littles often last a lifetime. Having an additional person in a child’s life who encourages them and cares about them is a tremendous benefit.”

On Sunday, March 15th these hero-themed bowling pins will be awarded during the Bowl For Kids’ Sake event to top corporate sponsors and bowling teams bringing in the most pledge dollars. The event is a big thank you party for donors and teams that helped Big Brothers Big Sisters raise funds. During the event, bowling is free and bowlers who raise more than one hundred dollars in pledges are eligible for door prizes.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass would like to recognize and thank Mary Lister, Executive Director of the Buchanan Art Center, and Lynda Price, a retired South Bend Art teacher and Big Sister since 2005, for organizing the Bowling Pin Heroes painting project for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Kathy Rossow, Executive Director, stated “Bowl For Kids’ Sake is our premier fundraising event of the year, with the Sunday event being a fun way to say a huge thank you to our sponsors.  Our major sponsors for this year are: AEP/Indiana and Michigan Power; Chemical Bank; McLoughlin Family Foundation; and, of course, Joey Armadillo’s – all of whom are great friends of youth.”

This year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass expects about 200 bowlers, 350 pledge sponsors, and over 75 local companies to participate in the event. Bowl for Kids’ Sake provides critical funding by bringing in over ten percent of the annual budget.  All proceeds remain local as Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully matches quality mentors with waiting Littles, provides match support, and reaches the children in our community who are still waiting for a mentor.  All this is possible because of the generous donation of time and resources from Bowl for Kids’ Sake bowlers and sponsors.

Sponsors and bowlers are encouraged to call the BBBS office at (269) 684-1100. Or, visit the website at www.bbbsofbc.org/events_bfks.php where there is more information about Bowl For Kids’ Sake; Sponsorship forms; Team Registration and Pledge forms; or make an online donation. Sponsorship dollars will support a match in Southwestern Michigan.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass, Inc.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass, a United Way partner agency, helps vulnerable children beat negative odds. Professionally-supported volunteer services are proven to reduce children’s risk of dropping out of school; becoming violent; using drugs and alcohol; and falling victim to other negative cycles. Big Brothers Big Sisters and its network of supporters recognize the hardship, pain and challenges that children in too many communities confront. There’s an urgent demand for what the organization achieves. In addition to the traditional mentoring program, which matches a Big Brother or a Big Sister with a child of the same gender for at least one year, BBBS provides "Lunch Buddy" mentors who meet with a child at their school once a week during lunchtime. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass, Inc. is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization celebrating 42 years of service in Berrien and Cass counties of Southwest Michigan. Learn how to join the movement to change how children grow up in Berrien and Cass Counties by going to BBBSofBC.org or call (269) 684-1100, toll free (877) 367-2244.