By Tyler Marr

Green, glow and Bowl for Kids Sake

Mar 18, 2018 | 10:17 AM

A sea of glowing green was as far as the eye could see at Minto Rec Centre on St. Patrick’s Day.

It was part of the Bowl for Kids Sake fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Prince Albert Saturday night, where the community turned up in droves to down some bubbly and pins. It was all a welcome sight for Natasha Thomson, the organization’s development coordinator.

“It is very important that we are able to raise money to continue to offer our mentoring programs,” she said. “Our mentoring programs are provided free of charge, so we need two things to continue to do that. One is people and the other is money.”

Despite a shortening waitlist and a growing number matched children with mentors, Thomson said they are always on the hunt for additional volunteers. She said the organization currently has upwards of 30 children matched with mentors, but 20 still on wait lists.

“One of our favourite things to do is to be able to call a family up and say ‘we have a match for you,’” she said.

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BBBS recently launched two programs and partnerships with local schools to roll out female-focused programs. The ‘Go Girls’ groups run over lunch and after school and are targeted towards girls in Grade 5 to 7. It is designed to help girls learn how to hold a healthy self-image, act of living and to promote general positivity. 

“It is really to help those pre-teen girls get off to a good start,” she added.

There are many proven socioeconomic benefits that come with mentorship, according to Thomson. She said children who have adversity and barriers in their lives can receive the little bit of inspiration they need from a BBBS mentor to achieve, just knowing that someone believes in them.

Those interested in volunteering as a mentor, knowns as bigs, simply need to be able to give a few hours at least a couple times a month and complete a criminal record check. Anyone over 18 can apply for the program. No experience is required as BBBS trains and supports mentors throughout the process.

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr