Program to hold bowling fundraiser

Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana is jump starting its fundraising with the 2004 Bowl for Kids' Sake program. Honorary chairperson Elaine Mellencamp started the program with a press conference at Bloomington's dePaul School Tuesday afternoon.\nParticipants will form teams of six and collect pledges during the month of February, which will culminate in a bowling party at Suburban Lanes in Bloomington. IU will bowl Feb. 25 and 26, while other community members will bowl Feb. 28 and 29. \nBig Brothers Big Sisters is an organization that connects children with an adult mentor.\n"A key relationship with an adult … can help kids who struggle," said Cathy Diersing, principal of Templeton Elementary in Bloomington. \nMore than 10 percent of Templeton's student population is connected with a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters in-school mentoring program.\nBig Brothers Big Sisters provides an important service for the community, Mellencamp said.\n"Big Brothers Big Sisters has been providing role models for kids," she said. "I think the accomplishments have been astounding."\nHowever, Big Brothers Big Sisters cannot continue to run without charitable donations, Diersing explained.\n"Big Brothers Big Sisters operates on a shoestring," she said. "This money is absolutely key. It's the bread and the butter." \nBig Brothers Big Sisters differs from most other charities, said Scott Chambers, principal of Spencer Elementary in Spencer, Indiana. \n"The community is guaranteed that the money they raise will stay in the community," he said. "(We) immediately see the impact."\nMellencamp believes the entire community should get involved with Bowl for Kids' Sake.\n"I think that we need to look at this as a community effort," she said. "I'm proud to be involved in this program as a whole."\nMellencamp is also working with dePaul School to get students involved with the program as well. The school specializes in teaching children with developmental reading disorders, dyslexia and other learning disabilities. \nBig Brothers Big Sisters is an important community organization, said Bruce McCallister, program manager of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana.\n"There is nothing that any of us will do that is more important," he said.\nFor more information on how to participate in 2004 Bowl for Kids' Sake, call 334-2828 or visit www.bloomington.in.us/~bbbs.