Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grey Bruce and West Simcoe is preparing to roll out one of its biggest fundraising events of the year: the 2025 Bowl for Kids’ Sake. Over the past 60 years, this local chapter has provided no-cost programs to help youth realize their full potential. Now, with the 45th anniversary of Bowl for Kids’ Sake on the horizon, the organization is aiming to make this year’s event more impactful than ever.
“Bowl for Kids’ Sake started as a fun and engaging way to unite our community in support of mentorship,” explains Emma Fryday, Mentorship and Community Engagement Lead.
“It began with a simple idea—bring people together for a friendly bowling competition and, in the process, raise important funds for our programs. Since then, it’s evolved into an annual tradition, one that truly brings our communities together.”
This year’s Bowl for Kids’ Sake includes several ways to get involved. You can form a team by gathering friends, family, or colleagues and registering as a group, raising funds through peer-to-peer donations. Individuals can also sign up solo and spread the word to rally support.
“If you can’t attend the event, you can still make a difference by donating to a team, an individual or even becoming a sponsor. Additionally, the silent auction offers a chance to support the event and win some incredible prizes. Every contribution helps us provide mentorship to young people in your community!”
The online silent auction will run from April 1 to May 4, featuring an array of prizes—all proceeds go toward mentorship programs.
While participants can still use traditional pledge sheets, the organization is introducing a new peer-to-peer fundraising platform via Keela’s software this year.
“We wanted to make it easier for people to rally support from their friends and family,” says Fryday. “This real-time, online approach adds excitement and transparency to fundraising, so folks can see exactly how close they are to reaching their goal.”
Teams and individual bowlers are encouraged to raise at least $200 per team or $50 per person. Funds go directly to Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mentorship services, which remain free for families across the region.
“Every dollar raised helps us recruit, train, and match caring adult mentors with local youth,” Fryday adds. “Those mentorships can have a life-changing impact.”
Bowl for Kids’ Sake will take place on multiple dates and times between April 24 and May 2, spread across venues in Owen Sound and Collingwood. Participants can expect friendly competition on the lanes, prizes for high scorers and top fundraisers, and an uplifting atmosphere.
Sponsors like Bruce Power, Century 21 Millennium Inc., and The Bowling Alley help ensure the event’s success, offering valuable support.
Anyone looking to learn more, donate, or register can visit the official event page at here. Updates will also be shared on Big Brothers Big Sisters’ social media channels.
For those who prefer a more traditional route, phone and email support are available at 519.376.4449 or by contacting [email protected].
“We couldn’t do this without our community,” Fryday adds. “Bowl for Kids’ Sake is a fantastic way to have some fun, connect with neighbours, and make a difference in the lives of local youth. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone come together for this important cause.”