The Westman Chapter of Big Brothers-Big Sisters is ramping up their fundraising efforts starting in early March with their annual Bowl for Kids.
"Bowl for Kids is a really large event for Big Brothers-Big Sisters right across the country," shares Executive Director Tracy Williams. "We're really hoping to make the 2025 event the biggest and best one yet! We'll be holding that on Friday, March 7th at T-Birds here in Brandon and we're hoping to fill it with 40 teams!"
"We're doing a fun 70's theme which I think will be a lot of fun glow bowling," she adds. "So, get those bell-bottoms out and that big hair going and come on out and bowl. Supper will be provided."
The Bowl for Kids is just the first of a series of events that has that 'fun factor' of fundraising included in the festivities!
Also coming up will be 'wine survivor' at the Eagle's Nest in Brandon. "It's sort of like survivor and you get voted off the island, so to speak, but people can buy back in a few times. So, that's a fun one and will help to fund our programs."
Coming up in mid-June will be the return of the Mega Bike to the streets of Brandon.
"This is the big 30-person bike that Heart & Stroke used to do, driving down 18th Street," explains Williams. "It's now called the Mega Bike, and the Mega Bike is coming to Brandon June 19th. So, we're pretty excited about that and I'm planning to make it a really big day!"
Businesses can purchase the whole bike, or half a bike, individuals can raise pledges or buy a seat. As well, companies can have their logo on display on the Mega Bike.
Williams says there will be music, a BBQ and go-pro video available.
"We're hoping to do the ride downtown to sort of showcase our downtown here in Brandon," she adds. "It will be an all-day thing, and it will be a lot of fun!"
Williams notes all proceeds stay in Westman to fund local programs.
"For our operating dollars we probably get a little less than 50% as actual stable funding," she explains. "All of the rest of our operating dollars and programming dollars comes from fundraising and donations. So, it allows us to provide our programs like our in-school mentorship and our community mentorship. We also do programs for the kids on the wait list a couple of times a month just to keep the kids engaged."
The waiting list for a mentor can be long, and the program is in need of more volunteers to come alongside these kids in the program's wait list.
Please listen to more with Tracy Williams below on this very topic!
'Go Girls' is a program that has been facilitated by the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westman in the past. Williams plans on bringing that program back. "It helps empower girls in self-confidence and awareness and different types of coping mechanisms, and safety."
"But all of those programs cost money and so we fundraise just to provide the programming just to ensure that our youth have all the opportunities that they're entitled to," she adds.
For more information on their programs and upcoming events visit their website HERE!