Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waterloo Region is gearing up for their biggest fundraiser of the year.

Bowl for Kids Sake campaign runs from February 26 to March 10, raising crucial funds for local mentoring programs.

“It’s super easy to take part in the campaign. All you have to do is connect with me by phone or email to find a bowling timeslot that works for your team of four or more. From there, you can begin fundraising,” said Kierra Young, special events coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waterloo Region.

The organization serves over 1,300 kids in the region, with the goal of providing stability support and guidance in the healthy development of a child in a variety of community and school-based mentoring.

As their signature event, it serves the dual purpose as a fun night out with friends and coworkers while also giving back to the community.

Day of, participants head to participating bowling alleys with any paper pledges and enjoy two games of bowling and pizza, knowing you’ve made a positive impact on local youth in need, Young says.

The theme this year is rock ‘n’ roll: bust out some band tees and win some prizes.

“Rock and Roll, or Rock and Bowl – up to you, we are just embracing that theme. There will be prizes for the best dressed, so if you feel like taking it up a notch and dressing up, there are prizes to be won so just another fun element of the campaign,” said Young.

The event has a goal of $90,000, with every dollar raised going back into providing mentoring programs. That amounts to a minimum of a $100 contribution in pledges per bowler in order to hit that target and make it a successful fundraiser, she said.

“We still have about 300 kids on our waiting list, so one hundred per cent of the funds raised for Bowl for Kids Sake go directly towards enhancing our mentoring programs and getting more kids involved in our community,” said Young, noting their longest wait is one-to-one mentoring for boys, which can extend upwards of two-years.

In the past they have had an average of 65 teams participate; currently, though, they are sitting under their goal and encourage people to sign up with friends, family members or colleagues. The group’s website (www.waterloo.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca ) houses plenty of tools to help fundraise from pledge forms to group fundraising ideas.