Tuesday, March 10, the Big Brothers Big Sisters program was at IU Southeast from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Hoosier Room to hold their fundraising event, Bowl for Kids Sake ’09.
With help from a few donated Nintendo Wii consoles, controllers and Wii Sports games, pre-registered groups of 4 could play to support the Southern Indiana Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
Bowl for Kids Sake ’09 is different from the other bowling fundraisers that Big Brothers Big Sisters hold every year, since the actual bowling games were played virtually.
“This program is very pilot for us. There are 6 pre-registered teams this year and we look for it to grow next year,” Angela Massey, Big Brothers Big Sisters events coordinator, said.
If a group missed pre-registering, walk-in registration was accepted.
Attendants to the event paid $30 per person to bowl, regardless of registration status. Pizza and soft drinks were included. Drink cozies and T-shirts were given to pre-registered teams that received pledges for playing in the tournament.
The three campus groups that participated in the event were Campus Life, Financial Aid, and Phi Eta Kappas.
“We’re going to try to get a little competition going later. Maybe get the high scorers together for a game,” Massey said.
Prizes were offered for three different areas: most creative Mii, a virtual avatar for use on the Nintendo Wii console, tournament champion and greatest fundraising total.
Bowl for Kids Sake is the largest fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters and takes place January through March. Each year they raise about $500,000.
The event raised $950 total. All money raised on campus will go to the Southern Indiana Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“This was a fun event to get together with co-workers and raise money,” Cari Edwards, Campus Life office assistant, said.
“I’d like to see an increase in the amount of people that participated.”
The prize for most funds raised went to Brittany Hubbard, director of Financial Aid. Hubbard raised $135 in pledges by sending out e-mails to colleagues and friends. She said she has participated in Bowl for Kids Sake for five years.
“I’m so happy this is a success. I definitely would do this again,” Hubbard said.
Next year Big Brothers Big Sisters plan to have pre-designated judges for prizes, scorecards for teams to write down their scores and would like to be able to give away a Nintendo Wii as a prize.
“This is a good event just to get students together,” Kathy Meyer, new student and leadership programs coordinator, said.
“Nice to see them coming together for a good cause,”
For future events on campus, Big Brothers Big Sisters is trying to work with the Phi Eta Kappa fraternity.
“We’re working with Big Brothers right now to get more student organizations involved,” Will Goolsby, fine arts graphic design senior, said.
“Might try to do it when the weather is colder.”
By GRACE STAMPER
Staff Writer
gstamper@ius.edu