Bowl for Kids' Sake ready to roll this Saturday, Sunday

This weekend IU students and Bloomington citizens will put on their bowling shoes to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana. The annual Bowl For Kids' Sake will occur Saturday and Sunday at Suburban Lanes. The community at large will have a chance to raise money for the foundation Saturday, and the IU student population will have a crack at it Sunday. \nIn a previous IDS article, Tom Hargis, coordinator of Bowl for Kids' Sake, said the importance of the event stems from bringing 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 is popular on many college campuses, Bowl for Kids' Sake is a recognizable fund-raiser that allows many people to identify this event in other communities. \nThe 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 fund-raiser for kids in need. Throughout February and March, the national organization will host its annual Bowl for Kids' Sake around the country. In 2003, more than 1,000 kids were served in the organization's mentoring program. \nAccording to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Web site, several trophies are distributed each year. The IU trophy goes to the top fund-raising Greek house or student organization. The winner receives the right to display the trophy for one year and to add their name to the organization's list of champions. The first and only winners are the Apparel Merchandising Organization, which raised $3,650 during the 2003-2004 event. \nAccording to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Web site, the "Hoosier Hero" trophy goes to the staff members at the IU department that raises the most money. The first and only winners are the staff at the IU Alumni Association, who gave the trophy its name. The winner receives the right to display the trophy for one year and to add its name to the list of champions. \nFor more information on Bowl for Kids' Sake or Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit www.bloomington.in.us/~bbbs.