Bowl for Kids’ Sake benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine’s one-to-one youth mentoring programs, which match children facing adversity with mentors from Edward Little High School and Bates College. Little Sister Cadence Mahoney and her Bates Big Sister Jamie Bell are among 142 youth served by BBBS of Mid-Maine in Androscoggin County. Bowl for Kids’ Sake is scheduled for 3-9 p.m. Thursday, May 11 at Just-In-Time Recreation Center in Lewiston. Monica Charette photo

Bowl for Kids’ Sake benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine’s one-to-one youth mentoring programs, which match children facing adversity with mentors from Edward Little High School and Bates College.

The event is scheduled for 3-9 p.m. Thursday, May 11 at Just-In-Time Recreation Center, 24 Mollison Way in Lewiston.

With proceeds to support BBBS of Mid-Maine’s youth mentoring programs, the event invites local businesses, organizations, families and individuals to register teams, raise funding for local kids, and come out to celebrate with other community supporters.

BBBS of Mid-Maine’s Executive Director Tade Sullivan said Bowl for Kids’ Sake is the agency’s signature event, raising critical funding for its one-to-one mentoring programs that serve seven counties across Maine, including Androscoggin, according to a news release from the organization.

“We are thrilled to welcome our supporters back to in-person bowling, and look forward to coming together to support over 400 Maine kids facing adversity in our communities,” Sullivan said. “Funding from Bowl for Kids’ Sake plays a significant role in supporting matches between college and high school students and their Littles in our school-based programs in Androscoggin, fostering strong and enduring relationships between Bigs and their Littles.”

BBBS of Mid-Maine partners with Bates College and Edward Little High School to recruit, screen and train Bigs to mentor children attending Connors Elementary School and Washburn Elementary School. Littles in the program consistently have higher aspirations, greater confidence, better relationships with peers and family, and have better educational success.

BBBS of Mid-Maine Androscoggin Manager Jennifer Cartmell said proceeds from Bowl for Kids’ Sake events make it possible for the agency to provide mentoring services free of charge to children and families.

Businesses and individuals can register a team at bbbsmidmaine.org, select a desired bowling time, form teams of four to five bowlers, and create personal fundraising pages where supporters can make safe, electronic donations.

Registration is $10 per bowler. The event includes shoes, bowling time, and prizes awarded every hour.

All participants who register by Saturday, April 15 will receive a 2023 BBBS of Mid-Maine t-shirt when they fundraise. Bowlers can also download pledge forms to collect donations to bring to the event.

Bowl for Kids’ Sake is presented by Camden National Bank, with support from major sponsors Androscoggin Bank, Central Maine Power, and Northeast Bank.

For more information, contact Jennifer Cartmell at 207-653-3857 or jennifer@bbbsmidmaine.org.

Check out other upcoming area events!