Bowlers team up for Big Brothers Big Sisters

MAT-SU — Big Brothers Big Sisters Mat-Su is on a roll, and plans to strike fast before splitting with a renewed enthusiasm for its program and a bulging bank account.

So far, 20 teams have signed up for the organization’s annual Bowl For Kids Sake fund-raiser; a bowling extravaganza slated for April 3 at North Bowl in Wasilla. As Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska’s largest fund-raiser of the year, all 32 lanes at the Valley’s only bowling alley are expected to be packed with “bigs,” “littles,” local families and teams from businesses.

Like Veronica Farnsworth’s team from Wells Fargo. Farnsworth captain’s the bank’s team this year, and returns after bowling for BBBS last year as well.

“It was really fun,” she said. “We didn’t do so hot last year, but it was still really fun. I think it’s all for a great cause. It’s fun and (organizers) make it fun. It’s really, really rewarding to be part of this.”

Bowl For Kids Sake earned about $15,000 for the local chapter last year, said Sarah Gail of Big Brothers Big Sisters Mat-Su. This year, the group hopes to bring in $20,000 to $25,000.

“This is by far out biggest fund-raiser of the year,” she said.

Bowling is a fun activity and helps bring together potential bigs and littles, Gail said. If you’re thinking about becoming a BBBS volunteer, this is the event to attend.

“It’s perfect for that, because we have bigs and littles come to just play and have a good time for the day,” she said. “There are lots of people who volunteer with the program that people can talk to and hear stories from.”

That was one of the more rewarding parts of last year’s event for Farnsworth.

“It was pretty cool,” she said. “They had door prizes and (the kids) would talk. They were really excited about the things they could do with their bigs.”

Bowl For Kids Sake depends on the teams bringing in pledges and donations, Gail said. A team includes a captain and four other members, each challenged to bring in at least $150. The teams can also solicit other sponsors. The teams that bring in the most money locally and statewide can win some pretty impressive prizes, like airline tickets and a cruise vacation.

While that may be incentive for some adults, the draw for kids is the bowling — and all the free soda and pizza. North Bowl gives BBBS a reduced rate on the lane time and donates all the soda and pizza for the teams.

“We like being involved in the community, and this is a great program that’s been going on for a long time,” said North Bowl manager Don Marquaret. “A lot of kids don’t have opportunities to do recreation or the money, and this program provides it for them.”

Asked if North Bowl is prepared for all the free soda and pizza, Marquaret laughed. “Yes, I think we are. You know, that’s the No. 1 item ordered in our bowling alley for kids — pizza.”

This will be Marquaret’s first Bowl For Kids Sake event. He came to North Bowl eight months ago from Washington state. There’s a big difference in the Valley when it comes to community service, he’s noticed.

“I’ve seen this area do more community events than I ever saw in Washington,” he said. “It really is predominant up here. Everyone is really into community and family. It’s great for us, because we are a family business and that’s what we want to be.”

To sign up or learn more about Bowl For Kids Sake, call Gail at 357-2227 or visit online at bbbsak.org/bowl.

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.