Bowl for Kids’ Sake With Big Brothers/Big Sisters

At a little past 1 p.m., more than 200 people had come out to Thunderbird Lanes to bowl in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Bucks County fundraiser.  According to Suzanne Hartshorne, Bucks County’s Big Brothers/Big Sisters “Bowl for Kids’ Sake” chairperson, more than 400 people were expected to participate in the event that ran from 10 a.m. until after 5 p.m. 

“We’ve been bowling to raise funds for the program since before 1983,” Suzanne said.  "In 1994 we raised $4,000 from area bowling events.  In 2010, we raised $95,000 from the events.  This year we expect to match or exceed last year’s total.  Our goal is $120,000.”

Money that is raised from “Bowl for Kids’ Sake” and other area events goes to support the organization’s three community, school and option based programs.  Community based programs match adult volunteers, or mentors, with youth from economically, academically or family challenged backgrounds. 

Adult mentors are thoroughly screened through background investigations and an in-depth interviewing process.  After they are matched with a youth, they devote an hour a week to meet with their protégé to take them to fun events, discuss school or other life challenges they are facing, etc. 

What Big Brothers/Big Sisters Offers

Through school-based programs, mentors meet with youth during lunch or recess to work on school projects or to talk through challenges.  Becoming a mentor is a way for area Warminster adults to give back to the community.  Some companies let adult mentors take about an hour off from work to assist youth in the school-based program.  Typically, guidance counselors and teachers recommend candidates for participation in Big Brothers/Big Sisters’ school-based program.

The third Big Brothers/Big Sisters’ program is the option program.  In this program, youth are paired with Big Brothers/Big Sisters’ staff members so they can receive additional support. 

“Big” and youth pairings work best when “Bigs” (adult volunteers) have a talent they can use to connect with kids (e.g. drawing, tennis, singing, writing).  Mentors range in ages from 19 years and up.  Big Brothers/Big Sisters programs are open to youth between the ages of 4 and 17 years.  The average mentor/protégé relationship in the Bucks County program is 23 months.  However, it is not uncommon for “Bigs” and youth to keep in touch for years.

“Children are our future,” said Ursula Raczak, chief executive officer of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Bucks County, proudly wearing her black, white and purple “Bowl of Kids’ Sake” t-shirt while she made her way through Thunderbird Lanes.  “When we give children a stable life, we put them on the road to success.  Big Brothers/Big Sisters’ mentors help to keep youth in school and away from drugs and alcohol.  They volunteer their time to help area youth become productive members of society.”

Big Brothers/Big Sisters’ Mentoring Relationships Change Lives

Laura Letendre is a “Big” who bowled at Sunday’s fundraiser.  She was there with her “little sister” Caity.  Laura and Caity have been paired through Big Brothers/Big Sisters for two years.  Sunday was the first time they’d attended an annual “Bowl for Kids’ Sake” event. 

Caity’s energy and enthusiasm shined through.  When asked what she thought about the bowling event, she said, “It’s a very fun experience.”  She was even more excited to talk about her “Big Sister” Laura.  

“Big Brothers/Big Sisters did a perfect job matching me and Laura,” she said.  “Laura feels like a sister to me.”   Advice Caity has for other youth who could benefit from participating in Big Brothers/Big Sisters is, “Consider joining the program.  Getting a good mentor, like Laura, can change your life.”

“My own children are grown,” Laura said.  “I started volunteering as a Big Brothers/Big Sisters mentor two years ago because I wanted to help other kids.  It’s a great experience to get to know somebody and share ideas and talk with them.  Caity and I get together about every two weeks.  We’ve gone to 76ers games, to holiday events, Franklin Institute and Great Adventure.” 

Like hundreds of Sunday’s “Bowl for Kids’ Sake” spectators and bowlers, Laura and Caity plan to attend area bowling fundraisers next year. 

The next Big Brothers/Big Sisters bowling fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday, April 3 at Earl Bowl Lanes at 251 N. West End Blvd. in Quakertown.  Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Bucks County is online at, www.bbbsbc.org.  The organization served 1,400 youth in the Bucks County area in 2010.  Currently, there is a waiting list of 500 youth are looking for an adult mentor. 

Adults who are interested in volunteering with the program are encouraged to contact the organization through their website.  They should expect to commit at least two hours every two weeks to helping coach and guide the youth with which they are matched.