Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine’s 2013 Bowl for Kids’ Sake, held in six counties in April and May, raised more than $155,000 for its youth mentoring programs. The Kennebec Valley event, held April 22 – 27 in Skowhegan, Waterville and Augusta and included nearly 700 bowlers, raised more than $56,000 for newly established services in Kennebec and Somerset counties, according to a BBBS press release. The agency celebrated its local top fundraising individuals, teams and businesses at a special Bowl for Kids’ Sake recognition luncheon June 27, hosted by Big Brothers Big Sister’s partner organization, Olive Garden in Augusta.

This year’s Kennebec Valley Bowl for Kids’ Sake top fundraisers included, Top Individual Fundraisers, first — Jacy Cunningham, The Home Depot, Waterville, $1,040; second — Sheila Turcotte, Central Maine Motors, $901.20; third — Tom Aubin, New Balance, $753; honorable mentions: Kennebec Savings Bank, Women of Winthrop “WOW” team, $500 each; and Cindy Wyman $410, Big Sister.

The top fundraising teams are: first — Central Maine Motors Auto Group, Sheila Turcotte, $2,108; second — Hannaford, China, $2,009; third — Kennebec Savings Bank “WOW Team”, Sandy Burgess, $2,000; honorable mentions were: The Home Depot Team, Gary Glidden, $1,740; Kennebec Savings Bank, Nick Patenaude, $1,062; and Pike Industries, Cindy York, $1,060.

Top fundraising businesses were: first — Hannaford, 32 teams, $8,927.84; second — Kennebec Savings Bank, five teams, $5,172; and third — New Balance, 18 teams, $4,993.10. Honorable mentions were: The Home Depot, two teams, $2,718; Pike Industries, two teams, $2,040; Gallant Therapy, four teams, $894.50.

Star trophies were presented to Jennifer Curtis-Witham and Cheryl Burgoyne for efforts in coordinating Bowl for Kids’ Sake at New Balance.

All Kennebec Valley bowlers who raised more than $100 were entered into the grand prize winner drawing of a gas grill, donated by The Home Depot, in Waterville. The winner was Becky Gillespie from Kennebec Savings Bank “WOW” team.

Bowl for Kids’ Sake accounts for about one-third of the agency’s total operating dollars, according to Monica Charette, special events manager, in the release. “We are grateful to our major sponsors, Hannaford and Kennebec Savings Bank, our generous partner sponsors and most especially to the businesses and individuals who came out to bowl and helped make this year’s event a success.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine helped 560 children in Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot, Somerset and Waldo counties facing adversity for the better, by providing strong and enduring, professionally-supported one-to-one relationships. By partnering with parents, volunteers and organizations, children in our program have higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships, avoid risky behaviors and achieve educational success.

For more information, call 593-0380 or email info@bbbsmidmaine.org.