DANVILLE – For Harry Waller, every facet of being a “BigBrother” is thrilling.
He attends trainings, annual events and weekly matchmeetings.
His enthusiasm is making a difference in the life of his “LittleBrother,” Javonte Harris, who has become a better student and morerespectful of others, and has developed Waller’s interests inbowling and golfing.
Their story is one that is repeated over and over as “Bigs” mentor”Littles” one on one in matches made by Big Brothers Big Sisters ofDanville Area.
“Great things happen for children when they are able to spend timewith an adult,” said John Gilstrap, the organization’s executivedirector.
To continue making “great things happen,” Big Brothers Big Sistersof Danville area is actively recruiting players and seekingdonations for its annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraiser, with thegoal of making this year’s event its largest ever.
Toward that goal, the organization needs the support of thecommunity by participating in the bowling event, which will be heldfrom 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, at RiversideLanes.
“Bowl For Kids’ Sake is about doing something fun that benefitskids,” Gilstrap said.
The event aims to raise $45,000 to support one-on-one mentoring inDanville and Pittsylvania County.
“By bowling, you will make a positive difference, and everyone canget involved as a bowler on a team of family members, friends orco-workers, or as a sponsor,” Gilstrap said.
He pointed to the first Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth OutcomesReport, which shows statistically significant improvements foryouth during the first year of enrollment in the organization’snationwide mentoring program in three targeted outcome areas -educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, such as truancy,and socio-emotional competency.
Youth progress in these areas is linked to longer-term outcomes,such as high school graduation, avoidance of juvenile delinquency,and college or job readiness.
Nationally, Big Brothers Big Sisters is the largest non-profitnetwork providing one-to-one mentoring by matching kids of ages 6through 14 (Little Brothers and Little Sisters) with caring adultvolunteers (Big Brothers and Big Sisters). The Danville chaptercurrently has 158 matches and has 33 on the waiting list.
Bowlers are asked to register in teams of four adults. Each adultis asked to raise $100 in pledges for a team total of $400.
All participants will play one game of bowling, receive free shoesand a commemorative T-shirt, and be eligible for a variety of doorprizes. Players with the top pledges will be eligible to winadditional prizes.
Melanie Vaughan, event coordinator, said, “As we say, ‘take aLITTLE time to help kids and have BIG fun.’ We ask the community tomake the commitment now by forming teams and making their pledges.if they begin now, it will be easier to raise the minimum dollaramount.”
Pledge sheets and information are available at the Big Brothers BigSisters office at 308 Craghead Street, Suite 104, or by contactingMelanie Vaughan at (434) 710-2754 or .
“Teams can easily register online and team members can collectpledges online at biglittledanville.org. General donations areeasy to make through the website as well.”
The event is presented by the Danville Register & Bee andGoDanRiver.com, Anthem, Danville Regional Medical Center, DanvilleShag Club, Ellyn & Seth Lehr, URW Community Federal CreditUnion, WAKG/WBTM and Walmart.
Bowl for Kids’ Sake is Big Brothers Big Sisters’ signaturefundraising event. For more than 20 years, Bigs, Littles, donors,corporations and other community members have been raising moneyfor Big Brothers Big Sisters in bowling lanes across thecountry.
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