Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ajax Pickering - Strikes, Spares and Mentors!

Posted date: February 27, 2009

OPG Bowl For Kids Sake 2009 fundraising campaign to take place in communities across Ajax and Pickering between March 27th – 29th with a target of $75,000.

Residents of Ajax and Pickering will have a chance to Bowl For Kids Sake at fundraising events that will directly fund local mentoring for kids in need of a Big Brother/Big Sister relationship.

"How many sleeps until Thursday? my son used to ask,” says the mom of one of our Little Brothers. “He would ask because that’s when his mentor came to his school. Now that he’s older and can keep track of the days himself, he makes sure that school trips or a sick day for him don’t interfere with his time with his mentor. My son has learned a lot about honesty, kindness, forgiveness, and respect. The very best part of learning these things from his mentor is that he’s learned them through patience, understanding and by example.”

In Ajax and Pickering, demand for youth mentoring far exceeds the supply of available Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Many children and teenagers are on waiting lists and some remain without a mentor for as long as a year.

“OPG Bowl For Kids Sake is our most important fundraising event of the year,” said Melanie Stewart, Executive Director, Big Brothers and Sisters of Ajax – Pickering. “Funds raised are absolutely critical to connecting children and youth in need with mentors that will help them learn, grow and succeed. Every child in Ajax and Pickering who needs a Big Brother or Big Sister should have one, and that is our goal.”

Each dollar from the OPG Bowl For Kids Sake fundraising campaign is used exclusively in the Ajax and Pickering communities. The funds go directly to support children and youth mentoring programs, match “Bigs” with “Littles”, maintain existing relationships, recruit new “Bigs” and form new matches.

Corporate Support for OPG Bowl For Kids Sake

“Ontario Power Generation is a long-time proud supporter of Big Brothers and Sisters,” said Don Terry, Manager, Public Affairs, Ontario Power Generation, Pickering Nuclear, Bowl For Kids Sake Event Sponsor. “I first bowled in support of Big Brothers and Sisters as a high school student and even then recognized the power of the programs. Since then, as an In-School Mentor, a Big Brother, and BFKS Honourary Chair, I have experienced the difference that this organization makes in the lives of everyone involved.”

About OPG Bowl For Kids Sake

OPG Bowl For Kids Sake is Big Brothers and Sisters of Ajax – Pickering’s signature fundraising campaign, culminating in bowling events in Ajax and Pickering. Friends, family, co-workers, local businesses, politicians and media put teams together and fundraise for Big Brothers and Sisters. Then the teams compete at a local bowling centre to bowl and have fun in support of Big Brothers and Sisters mentoring programs for local children and youth.
Big Brother and Sisters of Ajax – Pickering is among 117 Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across Canada that will host their own Bowl For Kids Sake campaign in their respective communities this year.

Big Brothers and Sisters is Ajax – Pickering’s largest youth mentoring organization, providing quality adult mentoring services for children and youth. For more than 25 years, Big Brothers and Sisters has been there to help provide a positive influence in the life of a child when one is needed. Big Brothers and Sisters programs, which are made possible by OPG Bowl For Kids Sake funding, have proven instrumental in reducing truancy, bullying, early school leaving, delinquency and substance abuse. Visit Big Brothers and Sisters of Ajax - Pickering at www.bigbrothersandsistersofajaxpickering.com .

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	Posted date: February 27, 2009 OPG Bowl For Kids Sake 2009 fundraising campaign to take place in communities across Ajax and Pickering between March 27th – 29th with a target of $75,000. Residents of Ajax and Pickering will have a chance to Bowl For Kids Sake at fundraising events that will directly fund local mentoring for kids in need of a Big Brother/Big Sister relationship. "How many sleeps until Thursday? my son used to ask,” says the mom of one of our Little Brothers. “He would ask because that’s when his mentor came to his school. Now that he’s older and can keep track of the days himself, he makes sure that school trips or a sick day for him don’t interfere with his time with his mentor. My son has learned a lot about honesty, kindness, forgiveness, and respect. The very best part of learning these things from his mentor is that he’s learned them through patience, understanding and by example.” In Ajax and Pickering, demand for youth mentoring far exceeds the supply of available Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Many children and teenagers are on waiting lists and some remain without a mentor for as long as a year. “OPG Bowl For Kids Sake is our most important fundraising event of the year,” said Melanie Stewart, Executive Director, Big Brothers and Sisters of Ajax – Pickering. “Funds raised are absolutely critical to connecting children and youth in need with mentors that will help them learn, grow and succeed. Every child in Ajax and Pickering who needs a Big Brother or Big Sister should have one, and that is our goal.” Each dollar from the OPG Bowl For Kids Sake fundraising campaign is used exclusively in the Ajax and Pickering communities. The funds go directly to support children and youth mentoring programs, match “Bigs” with “Littles”, maintain existing relationships, recruit new “Bigs” and form new matches. Corporate Support for OPG Bowl For Kids Sake “Ontario Power Generation is a long-time proud supporter of Big Brothers and Sisters,” said Don Terry, Manager, Public Affairs, Ontario Power Generation, Pickering Nuclear, Bowl For Kids Sake Event Sponsor. “I first bowled in support of Big Brothers and Sisters as a high school student and even then recognized the power of the programs. Since then, as an In-School Mentor, a Big Brother, and BFKS Honourary Chair, I have experienced the difference that this organization makes in the lives of everyone involved.” About OPG Bowl For Kids Sake OPG Bowl For Kids Sake is Big Brothers and Sisters of Ajax – Pickering’s signature fundraising campaign, culminating in bowling events in Ajax and Pickering. Friends, family, co-workers, local businesses, politicians and media put teams together and fundraise for Big Brothers and Sisters. Then the teams compete at a local bowling centre to bowl and have fun in support of Big Brothers and Sisters mentoring programs for local children and youth. Big Brother and Sisters of Ajax – Pickering is among 117 Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across Canada that will host their own Bowl For Kids Sake campaign in their respective communities this year. Big Brothers and Sisters is Ajax – Pickering’s largest youth mentoring organization, providing quality adult mentoring services for children and youth. For more than 25 years, Big Brothers and Sisters has been there to help provide a positive influence in the life of a child when one is needed. Big Brothers and Sisters programs, which are made possible by OPG Bowl For Kids Sake funding, have proven instrumental in reducing truancy, bullying, early school leaving, delinquency and substance abuse. Visit Big Brothers and Sisters of Ajax - Pickering at www.bigbrothersandsistersofajaxpickering.com .