Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 14, 1991 TAG: 9103150629
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By LINDA LOVINGOOD SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Known as "Bowl For Kids' Sake," the tournament has become an annual event and the organization's most successful fund-raiser.
With more than 600 bowlers registered, organizers expect this year's tournament to raise the most money in the event's nine-year history. About 300 bowlers will participate in the kickoff tournament from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Vinton Bowling Center. An additional 200 employees of the Kroger Co. are signed up to "Bowl For Kids' Sake" in their own company tournament, and about 100 league players from all five Roanoke Valley bowling centers will raise money on their regular league nights during "Bowl For Kids' Sake" Week, Saturday through March 23.
In all, the Big Brothers hope to raise $35,000 for operating expenses. Past tournaments have netted $20,000 to $25,000.
The proceeds will be used for recruiting, screening, training and interviewing volunteers, conducting background checks and home visits, collecting information about the children and matching each child with the right adult. Big Brothers also sponsors activities throughout the year for the partners such as a picnic and miniature golf tournaments.
The volunteers provide friendship and guidance to the youngsters, whose same-sex parent is absent. Children may enter the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program between the ages of 7 and 13 and may remain in the program until their 19th birthday.
Approximately 340 kids enroll each year, but only 250 volunteers are available for matching. Even with some adults taking more than one little brother or sister, more than 70 children remain on the waiting list.
Each year Big Brothers/Big Sisters makes and supervises approximately 150 matches. The average match lasts three years and costs about $1,000, said Chet Hart, the agency's executive director.
Several pairs of brothers and sisters will bowl in Saturday's kick-off tournament, Hart said.
Several days ago, Milton White, a Big Brother to a 10-year-old boy from Lincoln Terrace and last year's grand prize winner, had almost reached his personal goal of raising $1,000. A maintenance worker at Valley View Mall, he began volunteering about 1 1/2 years ago because he enjoys contact with children, and he and his wife do not have any of their own.
White said he attributes his fund-raising success to his belief in the Big Brothers program and a fierce streak of competitiveness.
Veteran bowlers Loretta Sink and Patsy Testerman play regularly in Roanoke Valley leagues at the Vinton Bowling Center and Viking Lanes, respectively. Players from leagues at All Star Lanes, Hilltop Lanes and Lee-Hi Lanes also will participate.
Sink, a single parent of a 12-year-old boy, raised the most money of any league player last year. This year will be her sixth as a "Bowl For Kids' Sake" participant.
"Big Brothers is a program that hits close to home. I think it's a good organization, and I like helping those who are in the same situation as I am," said Sink, an accounting specialist at Allstate Insurance Co.
Testerman, clerk of the Roanoke Circuit Court, said she enjoys raising money for worthy causes such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters while pursuing her passion.
She also has earned status as a top league fund-raiser. Although she doesn't like to ask for money, she said she's asked everyone she comes into contact with for pledges.
"Most people like to help others and will pledge if they're asked," she said. As for herself, "I like to help people, and I love to bowl. For me, it's a perfect match."
To participate in "Bowl for Kids' Sake," either by bowling or by making a pledge, call Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Roanoke Valley at 345-9604.
by CNB