Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine is inviting businesses, organizations and individuals to participate in its annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake (BFKS) event presented by Hannaford, Camden National Bank, and Emera Maine. Bowlers on each team raise pledge money to support youth mentoring in Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot, Somerset and Waldo counties. This year the agency will be adding a new BFKS event for Oxford, Androscoggin, and Franklin Counties, with final dates and times for that event still to be announced.

The first event will be held in Penobscot County from March 31-April 7 at Family Fun Entertainment Center, Bangor, and Bangor-Brewer Lanes, Brewer.

From April 8-15, the second event will be held in the Midcoast at Oakland Park Lanes in Rockport, All-Play Family Entertainment Center in Belfast and Waldoboro, and Point Lookout Lanes in Northport.

On May 2-7, the third event will take place in Kennebec and Somerset Counties at Central Maine Family Fun Center in Skowhegan; 1-7-10 Candlepin Lanes and Sparetime Recreation Center in Augusta. The May 7 event at Sparetime Recreation will also be the second annual “Bowl For Cassidy’s Sake” event in memory of 17-year-old Cassidy Charette of Oakland, a passionate BBBS volunteer who was within weeks of becoming a Big Sister when she lost her life in a tragic hay ride accident in October, 2014. Hammond Lumber and New Balance are the major sponsors of this important community event.

The final BFKS event will take place in mid-May in Oxford, Androscoggin and Franklin Counties. Exact dates and bowling venues are still to be determined.

Both weeknight and weekend dates and times are available in all regions.

Bowl for Kids’ Sake is the agency’s largest fundraising event of the year and involves hundreds of teams raising pledges to support Big Brothers Big Sisters’ 1-to-1 youth mentoring program. Last year’s event raised approximately $270,000 for the agency.

Local businesses can also support the event by becoming sponsors, donating prizes for the event, and encouraging their employees to form teams. Bowlers then raise money by soliciting pledges from people they know. Individual bowlers who raise $100 or more will automatically be entered in a raffle drawing to win a $1,000 cash prize in each region. Teams that reach the $500 goal will also receive colorful Bowl For Kids’ Sake T-shirts.

Costumes, clever team names, and friendly competition are also encouraged. Business teams will be joined by Big/Little matches who participate in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Community-Based Mentoring program, so bowlers can meet some of the children who benefit from the program.

Alex Gaeth, CEO of BBBSMM shares, "Bowl For Kids' Sake is critical because it enables the program to be provided at no cost. Removing the barrier of cost ensures Littles and their families can access this opportunity to build a successful future."

Gaeth encourages anyone who wants to bowl to register a team at bbbsmidmaine.org, or to call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine at 236-BBBS (2227) if they would prefer to receive a BFKS packet.