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.
Superheroes of all ages were expected to descend on Shamrock Lanes March 15 to support local mentorship programs from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area (BBBS), but the event has been indefinitely postponed.
The Super Hero Bowl For Kids Sake is a “fun, family-friendly fundraiser for BBBS mentoring programs in Airdrie,” 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 fifth time the annual charity bowling event – themed differently each year – has occurred in Airdrie, and the funds raised support BBBS’ local mentoring programs. Case noted the organization currently supports 174 matches between youth and mentors in Airdrie, across three different programs.
“Every dollar raised at Super Hero Bowl for Kid’s Sake Airdrie stays in Airdrie and goes to supporting BBBS programs in Airdrie supporting Airdrie kids,” he said.
In 2019, the event raised more than $23,000 and Case said the goal is to meet or surpass that amount this year. In total, more than $60,000 has been raised locally since Bowl for Kids Sake’s inception.
“We see a big opportunity to support kids in Airdrie, and we know that mentoring has really transformative effects,” he said.
Bowl for Kids Sake's glow-bowling will be split into two sessions – from 4 to 6 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Case said the event has room for 16 four-person teams across the two time slots. As of Feb. 21, he said about eight teams have already committed to the event.
Registration is available at bbbsairdrie.ca/bowl, and bowlers can sign up until capacity is reached. Bowling fees, shoe rental, a pizza dinner and door prize entries are included, though, teams are required to meet the minimum fundraising goal to be eligible for door prizes.
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 superhero outfits, and Case said BBBS will award prizes to top fundraising team and most spirited team – essentially a costume contest.
“[It] can get quite heated,” he said. “We have a lot of people that really like to participate in the Most Spirited Team category.
“It’s fun to be able to do something knowing that you’re giving back to a good cause and that it’s something that is really going to have an impact on your community.”
Ben Sherick, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @BenSherick
