Nearly 200 teams came out to Bowl For Kids’ Sake May 1-6 in Skowhegan, Augusta and Hallowell to support local youth mentoring programs in Kennebec and Somerset counties. The annual event, sponsored by Hannaford, Camden National Bank and United Insurance, raised more than $112,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine. Proceeds from Bowl for Kids’ Sake will directly support the agency’s school, site and community-based 1-to-1 mentoring programs that serve more than 100 children facing adversity in Kennebec Valley, according to a BBBS news release.

Kennebec Valley’s bowling fundraiser is among four regional Bowl for Kids’ Sake events held in Midcoast, Androscoggin County and a final event slated for early November in Penobscot County. Bowlers dressed up as super heroes in honor of all who support local youth through BBBS. Bowl for Kids’ Sake is Big Brothers Big Sisters’ largest annual fundraising effort, expected to raise $290,000. The first three events have already raised $240,000.

Big Brother Rick Eskelund and his Little Brother Donald Riopelle team up to Bowl for Kids' Sake at Sparetime Recreation in Hallowell May 6. Eskelund was the event's highest individual fundraiser, collecting $1,570 in pledges to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine which matched them two years ago. Contributed photo

Camden National Bank super heroes, back from left, Holly Morin, Leanne Churchill, Donna York and Lyndsey Lee, support their flying teammate Taylor Banister at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine's Bowl for Kids' Sake event in May. Two hundred teams came out to bowl and help raise more than $112,000 for youth mentoring programs in Kennebec Valley. Contributed photo

New Balance employees gather for a celebratory selfie on May 2 during the Bowl for Kids' Sake at Central Maine Family Fun Bowling Center in Skowhegan. New Balance, in Norridgewock and Skowhegan, was recognized for being the top fundraising business in Kennebec Valley, with 18 teams raising a record $22,065 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine. Contributed photo

BBBS of Mid-Maine’s Executive Director Gwendolyn Hudson said funds raised at Bowl for Kids’ Sake are critical in the agency’s work to create and support strong and enduring relationships between kids facing adversity (Littles) and their teen and adult mentors (Bigs).

“Half of our annual operating budget is funded through generous community supporters who sponsor and participate in Bowl for Kids’ Sake every year,” Hudson said, according to the release. “We are grateful for their continued support, which allows us to offer our successful mentoring programs free of charge to children and families who benefit most.”

The event helps fund local site and school-based programs pairing kids with high school mentors from Gardiner, Augusta, Skowhegan, Oakland, Waterville, Winslow and Fairfield, and supports community-based matches between children and adults throughout Kennebec and Somerset counties. Top fundraisers were recognized recently at a recognition lunch, sponsored by Olive Garden.

2017 Kennebec Valley Bowl for Kids’ Sake Top Fundraisers

TOP INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISERS:

Rick Eskelund, BBBS Community-Based Big Brother, $1,570, placed first.

Jess LePage, New Balance Norridgewock, $1,429, second.

Stephanie Wilcott, Gardiner Hannaford, $809, third.

TOP FUNDRAISING BUSINESSES (Multiple Teams):

New Balance (18 teams) $22,065, placed first.

Hannaford (48 teams) $12,392, second.

Kennebec Savings Bank (10 teams) $5,455, third.

Camden National Bank (10 teams) $4,035, fourth

TOP FUNDRAISING TEAMS (Single Team):

New Balance, Norridgewock Team Silver Bells (Robin McFarland) $1,788, placed first.

New Balance, Norridgewock Team Alley Cats (Marty Meader) $1,240, second.

Hannaford, JFK (Catherine Sealey) $1,230, third.

For more information about Bowl for Kids’ Sake, enrolling a child or becoming a volunteer or mentor, call 236-2227 or email info@bbbsmidmaine.org.

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