Support Bowl for Kids Sake

Bowl for Kids Sake is a fundraiser sponsored by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County during two November weekends. It’s designed for casual as well as pro bowlers at bowling alleys in Columbia Falls, Bigfork and Whitefish.

The many hours compiled by volunteers in the program amazes me. They range from Lunch Pail Pals in schools to those who enjoy spending time as a big brother or big sister to youths throughout the county. Records show that in the last 29 years more than 1,200 Flathead Valley youths have been matched to adult mentors through the program.

But back to Bowl for Kids Sake. Bowlers collect pledges and get to bowl free. Youth bowlers require at least $50 in pledges to enter. A minimum of $75 in pledges is needed for adult bowlers. They can sign up as an individual or team. It’s explained that pledges may be collected online at firstgiving.com/bbbsfc or in person.

It’s noted there are no pledges to collect as Big Brothers Big Sisters will bill sponsors.

Incentives for bowlers include free bowling, free shoe rental, free pizza and Pepsi, plus prizes.

Prizes for pledges are announced for adults and kids. They are as follows for kids’ pledges: $100, day pool pass to the Summit; $200 earns $20 gift certificate for video rentals; $300, season pass to Big Sky Waterslide; and $500 wins a $100 gift card to your favorite retailer.

Adult winners range from $250 to $1,000 in pledges. These are as follows: $250, $25 gift certificate to Kalispell Center Mall; $350, a $35 coffee card; $500, a $50 dinner certificate to your favorite restaurant; $750 pledge has $100 gift certificate to your favorite retailer, while a $1,000 pledge earns a punch card at Village Greens.

Grand prize for top money-raiser, adult or child, is a seven-night RCI vacation of your choice, value of $1,000, which does not include airfare.

Prize rules may be obtained by contacting the Big Brothers Big Sisters office at 137 Main Street, Kalispell, or dialing 752-0092. Calls to reserve time and the bowling alley are also to be made at the office.

Professional Bowlers Association endorses Bowl for Kids Sake. League bowlers earn $10 in Bowling Bucks for each $100 raised.

League Week is announced for Nov. 11-17 at all bowling centers.

Schedule for Bowl for Kids Sake starts Friday, Nov. 9 at 10:15 p.m. with cosmic bowling at Pin & Cue, Whitefish. Cosmic bowling also takes place Sunday, Nov. 18, 1:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., at the Pin & Cue.

Non-cosmic bowling is at Glacier Lanes, Columbia Falls, Saturday, Nov. 10, at 4 p.m. Northshore Lanes, Bigfork, is the site for cosmic bowling on Friday, Nov. 16, at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Entry blanks are available at Pizza Huts and bowling centers.

Almost makes me wish I could be a bowler. I tried once but after a hop and a skip the bowling ball just hit the gutter.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.