HUMBOLDT — Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Humboldt & Area have raised just over $17,000 through Bowl for Kids’ Sake, with a major part of the fundraising done by local schools.
Bowl for Kids’ Sake is BBBS premier fundraising event, where groups bowl and raise funds in support of Big Brother Big Sister mentoring program in the community.
Due to the pandemic protocols and restrictions in place, the chapter had lowered their annual goal to raise $10,000 and created a virtual bowling game people can choose alongside their in-person bowling
“We’re very pleased to announce that we surpassed our goal this year and raised about the same amount of money we raised last year,” said Jodie Hergott, the chapter’s community development co-ordinator. “Humboldt believes in what we do, and they know the power of mentoring and the great things that come from it.”
Typically, Muenster School has a daily field trip event with BBBS where they bowl, have lunch and fundraise.
With the pandemic, the school wasn’t able to travel out, so they joined the virtual bowling.
“The co-op got behind us and provided party boxes for the kids. So the Friday before the school break we had seven classrooms in the area that were originally Bowling for Kids’ Sake,” Hergott said. “Muenster School raised, get this, $7,750 with four grades.”
Hergott said they were “gob stopped” by the amount, with the school bringing a record breaking $4,000 last year.
“We thought that was incredible, and this year, wow, they just went above and beyond – again.”
Muenster School wasn’t alone in their fundraising efforts.
Humboldt Public School’s Grade 2 class had an online art auction over Facebook. Through the auction, the class raised over $600. The Grade 7 class at the school fundraised through “spirit days” where each Friday through February the school would have themed days that students could participate in through a donation. Through spirit days the class raised $656.
St. Augustine School also participated. They raised just over $760 through pledges and selling “secret hearts” where a student writes an anonymous way someone has made a positive influence on their life and it’s given to the person anonymously.
Hergott said that due to the success of virtual bowling, they will be considering continuing it as an option for future Bowl for Kids’ Sakes.
“Virtual bowling was a huge success for the schools,” Hergott said. “We’ll definitely be considering that for upcoming Bowl for Kids’ Sakes.”
“We just wanted to really thank Humboldt and area. The teachers, the students, anybody who donated and took time out of their day to contribute to the event, it is our major fundraiser this year – and wow, did Humboldt ever show up.”
Taking home the chromebook computer from This is Your Computer for raising the most money through pledges was Kelsey Hines of Muenster School who raised $1,500.
