HUMBOLDT — Big Brothers Big Sisters Humboldt wrapped up their annual bowling fundraiser by giving their matches a fun day of bowling with the Humboldt Broncos.
Kids around Humboldt idolize the Humboldt hockey players, said Morgan Forster, the mentoring program co-ordinator, so allowing their littles and bigs to meet and have some fun with the players that they look up to is a unique experience that not everyone gets.
“Being that we can offer that and the Broncos align with our agency, it’s pretty incredible.”
These Humboldt hockey players are role models themselves, said Jodie Hergott, Big Brothers development co-ordinator, which fits with what Big Brothers is trying to do for kids in Humboldt.
“In a very casual way, these kids look up to the Broncos so that makes them a good fit with our agency and our values.”
Around 23 players and three staff came out to support Big Brothers Big Sisters, including Scott Barney, the Broncos’ head coach. The community is so supportive of the team that any opportunity to give back is something they love to do, he said.
“I know the players love being out there to help with the Big Brothers Big Sisters anyway they can... It’s always good if we can get involved in the community as much as we can.”
The players enjoyed the time with the kids as much as the kids did, Barney said.
Another special guest that bowled with the bigs and littles was Blaze the Bronco. Bigs and littles alike enjoyed giving him high fives, hugs, and getting pictures with the six-foot horse, Hergott said.
Blaze is new to the team so it was a great chance to get him out into the community, Barney said.
Around 200 bowlers took part in the organization’s biggest annual fundraiser with $18,000 raised for matches across Humboldt, Hergott said.
While the fundraising is an important part of the week-long bowling event, raising awareness about matches still needing to be made and promoting the physical support of the organization was also important, Hergott said.
Watson School was a new participant this year and while their money raised was important, the students of Watson are also now made aware of what Big Brothers Big Sisters does for children in the Humboldt area.
“Those children are now made aware of our agency and what we have to offer, how important role modelling and mentoring can be but also lets them know that there is somebody out there if they feel they need a mentor, as well.”
Some important competitions also took place during this year’s Bowl for Kids Sake. Muenster School won the highest pledge earners in the school category, Hergott Farm Equipment took home the trophy for highest-earning farm implements dealer, RBC Royal Bank won for the highest-earning banking institution, and Discovery Ford won for the highest-earning car dealership.
