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By DAN PODEHL dpodehl@leader.net
Tuesday, March 18, 2003 Page: 9A
To say the annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake is a big deal for Big Brothers/Big
Sisters is a definite understatement.
Why? Consider this:
Fifty percent of the organization’s yearly funding comes through
fund-raising efforts.
The annual bowl-a-thon held at Stanton Lanes in Wilkes-Barre accounts for
more than 90 percent of the fund-raising portion.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters provides a mentoring service for children and
families in northeastern Pennsylvania, and offers role models and
companionship for children from single-parent families.
This year marks the 21st edition of the bowling marathon, which is
scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the 50-lane alley at Stanton and
Empire streets.
Event coordinator Sandy Frazier is hoping for a repeat of last year’s
success.
“We did very well last year,” said Frazier, who has coordinated the event
for the last six years. “We hit our goal.”
Last year’s goal was $105,000; This year the organization has upped the
mark to $110,000, Frazier said.
A big help last year was the bowler turnout, as more than 1,200 people
participated in hopes of recording strikes and spares.
“We were hoping to host at least 325 teams and we ended up surpassing
that,” Frazier said. “We had 346 teams bowling last year.
“We always want to make sure we get the bowlers. They’re the strong-arm.
Without them it’s not a very good event.”
The bowl-a-thon hosts teams of five and features many fund-raising
incentives for respective teams.
This year’s grand prize for a team is a night in the party suite at the
First Union Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township. Each member of the highest
fund-raising team will receive four tickets to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Penguins game against the Norfolk Admirals on April 5.
For the individual who raises the highest single amount, a trip for two
awaits, Frazier said. The destination for the getaway hasn’t been disclosed.
Door prizes will be handed out during each bowling flight to one person in
each lane, Frazier said.
Raffle prizes – including gift certificates, hats, T-shirts, mugs, candles,
a snowboard and a mountain bike – also will be awarded.
Crockett, the team mascot for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers arena
football team, will make an appearance.
Prizes aside, there’s another main reason for the event’s success,
according to Stanton Lanes owner Paul Waliczek.
“We always get a tremendous amount of people and in a lot of the cases it
seems that we get people who bowl just one time per year and it’s at this
great event,” said Waliczek. “I think people also look forward to seeing and
getting together with old friends.
“It’s a great time to come out for an hour or two and bowl. We’re pleased
and we actually feel very privileged that they always choose us for such an
event, which raises a tremendous amount of money. The event also raises the
general knowledge of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters role.”
Last year’s event raised the interest of a dozen individuals; half of them
followed through and became either a big brother or big sister, Frazier said.
“Last year we did very well in raising interest,” Frazier said. “We’re
hoping to do the same this year.”
FYI:
To register for the 21st annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake Bowl-A-Thon call
824-8756, fax 829-7781 or visit the organization’s Web site at bbbswb.org.
Registration deadline is Thursday.