Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth & Middlesex Counties’ 35th annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraiser is now underway with teams registering to support a cause that helps children.
Bowl for Kids’ Sake is about having fun to help put children on a positive path in life. The goal is to raise funds and bowl with friends, family or coworkers in March to support Big Brothers Big Sisters’ 1:1 mentoring programs. The children in the program gain a mentor who they can look up to for guidance and example.
To participate, form a bowling team of up to six people, register online and raise a minimum of $100 per person (student minimum is $50). You can also register as an individual and be placed on a team with other bowlers.
The history of Big Brothers Big Sisters began in 1904 with Ernest Coulter, a court clerk from New York City who started New York Big Brothers, which eventually became Big Brothers Big Sisters. Coulter was influenced by the work of Judge Julius Mayer of the New York Children’s Court, where Coulter worked. Mayer recruited influential men to mentor delinquent boys who came before him.
Coulter became increasingly appalled by the suffering and misery of the thousands of children who came through the court. In late 1904, he appeared before a group of civic and business leaders and described a boy about to be jailed.
Coulter went on record saying, “There is only one way to save that youngster and that is to have some earnest, true man volunteer to be his Big Brother, to look after him, help him to do right, make the little chap feel that there is at least one human being in this great city who takes a personal interest in him. Someone who cares whether he lives or dies. I call for a volunteer.”
Every man in the room raised his hand.
The following year, Catholic Big Sisters, the first known Big Sisters program in the country, was formed in New York.
In 1976, Monmouth County resident Curtis Colby began mentoring a boy named Joey whose father had died. Colby soon realized the positive impact his friendship had on Joey. Joey had a younger brother who had an equal need for a positive male adult, and Colby was determined to find him one. He took it upon himself to contact the Monmouth County Division of Social Services and with their support and his leadership, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth County was officially established.
Over the years, the need to expand programs into Middlesex County became more apparent. The agency gained approval by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America to serve the youth in the county, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth & Middlesex Counties was formed Jan. 1, 2011.
Registration will take place from 6-8 p.m. March 10 and 13 at Shore Lanes, Neptune, and from 6-8 p.m. March 24 at Brunswick Zone, Hazlet.
Bowling, shoes, food, giveaways and prizes are all included. For more information, call 732-444-3539.
