70 teams to battle in Bowl for Kids' Sake

Students will be bowling for more than fun this week. Teams of students will be putting their bowling ability on display to benefit kids as part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters' Bowl for Kids' Sake charity event.\nTom Hargis, coordinator of Bowl for Kids' Sake, said the importance of the event is to bring adults and kids together.\n"The relationship that forms becomes equally as rewarding for both of them because it is such a strong bond," Hargis said.\nThe event is sponsored nationwide by the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Because it's popular on many college campuses, Bowl for Kids' Sake is a recognizable fundraiser that allows many people to identify this event in other communities. \n"Big Brothers Big Sisters is not a building where kids come," Hargis said. "We recruit volunteers to serve as caring adult mentors to kids in need in the community."\nThe process for the event begins with gathering pledges from each team of five to six members. \nAccording to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Web site, Bowl for Kids Sake raises almost a third of the operating budget for the organization.\nFor more than 18 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has hosted a fundraiser for kids in need. Throughout February and March, the national organization will host its annual Bowl for Kids' Sake around the country. Last year, more than 1,000 kids were served in the mentoring program. \nTwo separate Bowls will be held at different times this week, both at Suburban Lanes, 2634 N. Walnut St. IU Bowl is reserved for students and student organizations on campus. It will be held Wednesday and Thursday during two sessions, one from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. and another from 10:30 p.m to midnight. \nCommunity Bowl gives organizations and businesses a chance to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters as well. It will be held this Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Each IU Bowl team is required to raise a total of at least $420, while $500 or more is raised per team for Community Bowl. \nMany organizations on campus take part in IU Bowl. This year, 70 teams have already signed up to compete. Alpha Sigma Phi is one of many campus organizations participating in the benefit. Alpha Sigma Phi President John Thephasdin said he is pleased with the Greek community's participation in the event.\n"It's a terrific opportunity to contribute to the well-being of kids," he said.\nGreek houses are not the only organizations that can take part in the bowl. All groups, from student organizations to residence halls and academic departments, are invited to participate. If that's not enough encouragement, grand prizes and door prizes are given to various teams throughout the event. \nSeveral students on campus said they agreed the fundraiser is valuable for all. \n"It's beneficial for both parties," sophomore Stephanie Konstant said. "People get to raise money doing something enjoyable while helping people in need." \nThephasdin said the chance to participate in the event not only benefits the children, but also students, as they are given the opportunity to volunteer in the community.\n"It gives us a chance to contribute to a need, and it also gives the Greek community a chance to represent itself in a positive way," he said. "We've been called Alpha Sigma Philanthropy in the past."\nSome spots are still available for those interested in a last-minute sign up. \nFor more information on Bowl for Kids' Sake or Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit www.bloomington.in.us/~bbbs.\n-- Contact staff writer Andrea Opperman at acopperm@indiana.edu.