Bowl For Kids’ Sake celebrates a record fundraising year

Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee (BBBS) staff strike a pose with a surprise guest, University of Tennessee star football player Eric Berry, at the 28th Annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake event at UT’s Down Under Recreation Center in April. This year’s Bowl For Kids’ Sake fundraising event raised a record $190,000, and all proceeds go to help place mentors in the lives of at-risk children. Pictured are, back row from left, Ashley Bowen, Brent Waugh, Eric Berry, Heather Sutton, Sterling Rogers, Jessica Sharp and Jennifer Lyle; and, front row from left, Megan Long, Jennifer Rowan and Megan Steed.

The 28th Annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake held this April was a winning event for the children served by Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee, with the fundraiser bringing in a record $190,000.

Bowl For Kids’ Sake presented by Edfinancial Services is Big Brothers Big Sisters’ signature fundraising and awareness event. The 2010 event raised approximately $190,000, and more than 1,400 bowlers contributed to this year’s success. Participants from Knoxville, Maryville and Tri-Cities hit the lanes, had fun and raised money. All funds raised by bowlers directly benefit the programs of Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee.

“This year marks Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee’s 40th birthday, and we couldn’t have asked for a better gift than a record fundraising year for Bowl for Kids’ Sake,” said Myra Yeatman, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee. “Bowl for Kids’ Sake helps us continue to put the guidance, friendship and fun of mentors in the lives of children, and through the support of East Tennesseans we will be able to match an additional 200 area children with mentors.”

Edfinancial Services is a national student loan service provider headquartered in Knoxville and the presenting sponsor of Bowl For Kids’ Sake. Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee has been changing the community through the power of one-to-one mentoring since 1970. Mentored children have a better chance of succeeding in school, are less likely to use drugs or violence and are better able to get along with family and friends.

For more information about Bowl For Kids’ Sake or supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee, contact Brent Waugh at 865-523-2179, ext. 17.