Game raises money for Big Brothers and Sisters

Brian McFarland, junior business management major and president of Lambda Chi Alpha, celebrates after bowling a strike at the 24th annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake Saturday afternoon. All proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Portage County. The fraterni

Credit: Carl Schierhorn

Bowlers packed AMF Twin Star Lanes Saturday afternoon. Some bowled strikes, and some bowled gutter balls, but it did not matter to them what the final score was; they were all bowling for a cause: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Portage County.

To participate in the 24th Annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake, each bowler was required to collect a minimum of $35 in donations.

Around 310 people participated, and an estimated $13,000 was raised, said Ron Kilchenman, associate director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Portage County.

“It does my heart good to see all these people bowl for such a good cause,” he said. “Profits will be used to recruit more volunteers and match them with children from the waiting list.”

Participants signed up in teams of five, and they could bowl in one of the two sessions offered.

Several different teams participated in the event, including teams of high school organizations, businesses and bars. Two teams from Kent State participated.

Lambda Chi Alpha formed one of the teams. Together they collected $175.

“This is our first time working for Big Brothers and Sisters,” said Brian McFarland, junior business management major and president of Lambda Chi Alpha. “I wouldn’t mind doing it again next year. It was a really good time.”

The other team from Kent State consisted of members from the Human Service Management Student Association, which received a $175 donation to participate in the event.

Kendra Roberts, senior human development and family studies major and president of the organization, said she participated in the event when she was younger.

“I think it’s a very enjoyable event,” she said. “And it’s for a good cause.”

Jennifer Combs, senior human development and family studies major and service chair for the organization, learned about the event last semester and decided it would be a good event for the organization to participate in.

“It’s a good way to raise money,” she said. “It’s a fun thing to do; it’s not just giving money.”

The organization volunteered at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Portage County in the past. Earlier this month, they helped Big Brothers Big Sisters with inventory, Combs said.

AMF Twin Star Lanes not only provided the facility for the event, but it also donated door prizes and ice.

Giant Eagle in Rootstown and Streetsboro donated 400 cans of pop, and Guys Pizza Co. donated 50 pizzas for the event.

Kilchenman said he appreciates all of the help they can get.

Contact social services reporter Meghan Gauriloff at [email protected].