Teams of all kinds came together to help. Businesses, civic groups, churches, and families all reached out and helped children in a profound way. Photographe: Matt Santos.
Who: Hundreds of people from across Yavapai County
What: Bowl For Kids’ Sake: Yavapai County’s Largest fundraiser benefiting children!
Where: Prescott Valley and Prescott (Verde Valley too)
Why: Raise money for Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters to make and maintain hundreds of 1 to 1 “Matches” between at risk youth and caring adults.
Community Bowls a Strike for KIDS!
The largest Fundraiser directly benefiting children just wrapped up, and things are looking SUPER! Yavapai Bowl for Kids’ Sake supplies the needed funds to make and support the 1 to 1 mentoring relationships Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters is famous for. In fact, this community-based event represents about 25% of the organizations total operating budget, and funds over 200 children being matched for a year!! This year YBBBS had set a goal of matching 205 children, or raising $205,000 in pledges!! Because of overwhelming community support YBBBS has about $220,000 in pledges!! Putting that into perspective, If everyone honors their pledges, they raised enough money to match 220 children with a Big Brother or Big Sister for a year!! The event used a super hero theme to engage the public- Release your HERO within. They DID!! The efforts ended on a heroic note: more than 220 children’s lives will be positively impacted because we came together and helped our neighbors in need!
The Event was Chaired by Billie Grobe of Yavapai County Adult Probation and Randy Oaks, Prescott Chief of Police. Bowlers represented companies, civic and faith groups, families, and Bigs and Littles. Top teams include the Bradshaw Mountain High School Cheer Leaders, Walmart, Yavapai County, National Bank, Wells Fargo, Fry’s food and Drug, Freedom Station, Yavapai College, Yavapai Regional Medical Center, Cableone, York Motors, Wulfsberg, Fann Contracting, Kidszaam, Prescott High School NHS and Key Club, Prescott United Methodist Church Sr. High Youth Group, ERAU, Bradshaw Labs, and YOU!
One important thing to remember is that with the economy getting tighter, we’re a lot more successful at
getting a personal gift of $25 or $100, then we would be asking a
business for a $5,000 gift.
Mentoring is the single most effective way to positively impact at risk youth. After having a Big for just 18 months, Little Brothers and Little Sisters are:
- 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
- 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
- 53% less likely to skip school
- 33% less likely to have violent confrontations
Overall, “At Risk” kids are 65% more likely than their peers to get in serious trouble with the law-
With a Big in their lives, our kids become about 39% less likely than average kids to get in trouble. The pendulum swings more than 100%- our supporters don’t just make a difference, they become the difference that matters most! Thanks to all who got or gave pledges!! You’re our Hero!
Photo Gallery
Please click on an image below for a larger photo. All photos courtesy of photographer Matt Santos .
Trackback(0)
 |
Subscribe to the entire Prescott eNews site, or specific content.
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed