One area child, Quentin, has been waiting for a Big Brother for more than six months. The 10-year-old lives with his grandmother and great-grandmother and hopes a Big Brother will soon be in his life as a friend and positive role model. Quentin loves to swim and camp but admits he does not really care too much for hunting or fishing. He wants to travel to California one day to visit the ocean and states that he loves to play football.

The 27th Annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake will help match the nearly 50 area children just like Quentin who are waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister.

Bowl For Kids’ Sake, presented by independent area Bridgestone dealers is Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee’s (BBBS) signature fundraising and awareness event. All funds raised by bowlers directly benefit the programs of BBBS. Bowl For Kids’ Sake helps put guidance, friendship and fun in the lives of area children.

As Harvey Firestone once said, “The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.”

This is why the area Bridgestone dealers of East Tennessee have chosen to support this event and agree that it is a worthy cause. Studies and research show that one-on-one mentoring gives children a better chance of succeeding in school, find they are less likely to use drugs and violence and eventually become positive community citizens.

This year, Big Brothers Big Sisters is targeting the college student population for participation.

Students at ETSU, King College and Milligan College have been encouraged to participate and several teams have already been formed. “We are really excited to be involved with this organization,” said Mary Williams, member of ETSU’s Tau Sigma honor society leadership board. “It gives us a great opportunity to serve the community and work with these children who just want someone to hang out with.”

ETSU’s Public Relations Student Society of America’s president, Justin Grimsley, agrees. “Bowl for Kids Sake is a neat opportunity for us to have some fun bowling and work with some really great kids,” said Grimsley. “We are excited to be able to participate in this fundraiser to support this great organization.”

This year, Bowl For Kids’ Sake will be held at three locations:

Belmont Lanes in Bristol – Thurs., April 15, 5-8 p.m.

Warpath Lanes in Kingsport – Sat., April 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

MountainView Lanes in Johnson City – Thurs., April 22, 5-8 p.m.

Register your team of up to four friends or family members today at BowlForKidsToday.org.

For more information about participating, volunteering or donating for this year’s event, call 423-342-8008 or reecejh@goldmail.etsu.edu.

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