By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL/Staff Writer

Shelby County will participate for the first time in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Bowl for Kids’ Sake June 7. 

Bowl for Kids’ Sake is a national Big Brothers Big Sisters of America fundraising event that takes place every year in order to raise money for matching children and mentors in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

This year, Shelby County will join with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham to raise funds that will ensure the safety of the program’s children in Shelby County.

“We’re excited to have it,” stated Jessica Whatley, director of public relations and marketing for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham. “All money raised from Shelby stays in Shelby.”

During the event and in the weeks preceding it, money will be raised and donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters. In celebration of the resulting impact to be made upon many children, participants will gather between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Brunswick Riverview Lanes for a fun afternoon of bowling.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham invites the public to join in the celebration by donating or raising a minimum of $125 per participant. Teams may also be formed, suggested to pursue a goal of raising a minimum of $625. In the past, teams have exceeded this amount by raising as much as $2,500. A current team aims to raise $725.

Impacting lives since 1906, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America initiates big and little “brother” and “sister” relationships between children facing adversity and strong, caring, professionally supported adults.  Through this program, countless suffering children have attained emotional stability and a successful drive to thrive in various aspects of life.

This year’s Bowl for Kids’ Sake is sponsored by EBSCO Industries, INC., Founders Investment Banking and Leadership Shelby County.