Editor's note: This story has been amended to reflect widespread cancellations of events and gatherings of more than 250 people in Alberta due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Super heroes of all ages are expected to descend on Cochrane Lanes March 22 to support local mentorship programs from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area (BBBS), but the event may be indefinitely postponed.
The Super Hero Bowl For Kids Sake Cochrane is a “fun, family-friendly fundraiser" for BBBS mentoring programs in Cochrane, said David Case, communications and marketing specialist.
“We’re looking for community-minded individuals to register a team of their friends, family, maybe even co-workers from where you work, to fundraise – meaning that each team is responsible for fundraising from their friends and family a minimum of $400,” he said, adding most teams surpass the baseline amount.
2020 marks the eighth time the annual charity bowling event – themed differently each year – has occurred in Cochrane, raising more than $85,000 for BBBS’ local mentoring programs.
"We had 24 teams last year and are looking to repeat that once again. We currently have 13 teams registered so we have room for 11 more teams," Case said.
Last year's event hosted more than 100 people and raised "just shy of $17,000," Case said, adding the goals is to raise at least $17,000 this year.
"If we do that, then we'd hit $100,000 total and that would be huge for an event like this," he said.
Bowl for Kids Sake will be split into three time slots – 3, 5 and 7 p.m. – and has room for 24 four-person teams.
Registration is available at bbbscalgary.ca/cochranebowl, and bowlers can sign up until capacity is reached. Anyone who is unable to recruit a full four-person team is still encouraged to participate. Case said these individuals should register, then call 403-693-2682 to have the BBBS team connect them to others who have registered without a full team.
“We want you bowling, and we want you coming out and having a good time at Bowl for Kids Sake,” he said.
Participants are encouraged to dress up in their best super hero outfits, and Case said BBBS will award prizes to top fundraising team and most spirited team – essentially a costume contest.
"We've got prizes for people who bowl strikes and all that too, so we're ready," Case said. "It's ramping up very quickly here and I cannot wait to see the competition this year for the most spirited team award. Cochrane is certainly one of the hotly contested (spirit award participants) because the teams show up every year with incredible costumes. We cannot wait to see how high the stakes go for this year's contest."
- with files from Troy Durrell
Ben Sherick, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @BenSherick
