Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County

Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County's 15th annual Bowl for Kids' Sake event was a striking success.

More than 600 bowlers participated in the two Community Days, Student Day, three Teachers Days and eight bowling houses of league bowlers around McHenry County.

"We are very grateful to our corporate sponsors, members of the community, local teachers, students and league bowlers for their enthusiastic support of our event," said Jim Greco, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters.

"Nearly $120,000 was raised to support our mission of putting carefully screened adult role models in the lives of at-risk children throughout McHenry County. This was the most money raised from this event."

Bowl for Kids' Sake is planned and implemented each year by volunteers who work very hard and deserve much recognition.

Many thanks to Dan Dreher of American Community Bank; Carmen Rhodes and Diane Susong of Home State Bank; Roger Krause and Jim Kratochvil of Northwestern Mutual; John Georgy of Financial Network; and Ed Messmann and Tom Vaclavek.

Indian Prairie was awarded the trophy for raising the most money for Teachers Days, and McHenry West High School National Honors Society was awarded the trophy for raising the most money for Students Day.

Westlane Family Bowling Center in Crystal Lake hosted the events. League bowlers at Westlane Family Bowling Center, 3-D, Crystal Bowl, Edgetown, Woodstock City Lanes, Raymond's, Palace Bowl and Brunswick Bowling Center participated.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County provides youth mentoring services by pairing caring and carefully screened volunteers with children ages 6 to 14 in McHenry County.

The Bowl for Kids' Sake planning committee is looking for members to help plan the 2009 event.

For details about Big Brothers Big Sisters, or to help with Bowl for Kids' Sake 2009, call Robyn Ostrem at (815) 385-3855.