Skip to content

Teams get ready to Bowl for Kids' Sake in Bradford

'It's important to be a leader and a mentor for youth,' says Coun. Peter Dykie Jr.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of York (BBBSY) is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year – 50 years of providing mentoring, through school programs and the partnering of “Bigs” and “Littles,” volunteers and children from single-parent families.

As part of the celebration, Big Brothers Big Sisters has rebranded, with new colours and a new logo – the result of months of research and consultation with over 3,500 volunteer mentors, “Littles,” parents and guardians, leaders and the general public.

In a press release, the rebranding is described as “a call to action for Canadians to be part of something bigger, a movement to prove how critical relationships are to our success, mental health and well-being.”

“Mentoring is an essential service, impacting childhood brain development and creating positive cognitive, education, employment and health outcomes,” said W. Matthew Chater, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.

“Our modernization is meant to engage a new wave of volunteers and donors, and give them an opportunity to make a true difference in this world, to change two lives – their own, and the life of a young person,” Chater added.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of York is hoping for more support from the community, to help drive the new, revitalized mission, and to reinforce the mentoring movement, providing professional support. The first fundraiser this year is the annual A & B Courier Bowl for Kids’ Sake, taking place at three locations in York Region and South Simcoe – including Bradford Underground Bowl, in BWG.

The Bradford event takes place on Sunday March 8, and so far, 11 of the 12 lanes at Bradford Underground Bowl have been reserved by fundraising teams, noted Neil Haggarty, Fundraising & Events with Big Brothers Big Sisters of York.

Teams already registered include two teams from the Bradford Legion, the Bradford Lions Club, Bradford Leos, RBC Bradford, and two York Regional Police teams, ‘Mine’s in the Gutter,’ and the ‘Pins ‘n PJs’ team led by Sarah Butterworth, that always shows up wearing their favourite PJs.

There is also a family team, The Incredi-Bowls, and a team comprised of BWG Town Council members and their families, led by Coun. Peter Dykie Jr.

Dykie has participated in the event “since 1992,” he said, usually accompanied by sons Aydan and Justin, who have been bowling with him since they were five and seven years old.

“I think it’s important to teach our kids to be part of a community,” Dykie said, through participation and fundraising.

This year's town team will also include Coun. Ron Orr, Peter Ferragine, Mark Contois, and Mayor Rob Keffer, he said. 

As to why he has remained engaged with the organization for nearly 30 years, Dykie explained, “I think it’s a very, very worthwhile cause for the whole community. It’s important to be a leader and a mentor for youth.”

For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters and Bowl for Kids Sake, click here.

 


Miriam King

About the Author: Miriam King

Miriam King is a journalist and photographer with Bradford Today, covering news and events in Bradford West Gwillimbury and Innisfil.
Read more

Reader Feedback