IU students help generate big funds

For some people, the opportunity to don a pair of bowling shoes and a technicolor silk shirt is enough to bring them out to the lanes. For others, it is the chance to raise money for a charitable cause.\nWhatever their motives were, nearly 400 bowlers participated in the IU Bowl for Kids Sake at Suburban Lanes last night and Tuesday night. Proceeds from the event benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monroe County.\n"This is our most important special event fundraiser," said Liz Grenat, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monroe County. "It generates close to 30 percent of our fundraising budget for the year."\nThis year marks the 14th year for the IU Bowl for Kids Sake. The event is a national fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters. The organization primarily uses the proceeds from the event to pay for the recruiting, screening and training of volunteers. \nThe theme for this year's Bowl for Kids Sake was "Hoosier Hoops, Hoosier Hopes." Honorary chairpersons included former IU basketball legends Kent Benson and John Laskowski, women's basketball coach Kathi Bennett, radio announcer Don Fischer and Assembly Hall public address announcer Chuck Crabb.\nWith about 65 teams competing in Bowl for Kids Sake, there was a high level of greek involvement. The event was co-sponsored on campus by Alpha Xi Delta, Pi Kappa Phi and Chi Phi. \nAZD philanthropy chair Sarah Ferraro, a junior, said she had so much fun at the event last year that she wanted to get more involved this year.\n"The bowling makes it more relaxed," Ferraro said. "Everybody's on a team with their friends."\nThe event gives people a chance to help out Big Brothers Big Sisters even though they may not have time to volunteer for the organization, Grenat said.\n"We hope that the community will get real excited about this," she said.\nBig Brothers Big Sisters of Monroe County anticipates raising $25,000 from the event, Albertson said.