Annual bowl-a-thon raises funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters

Every year Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sudbury takes over Plaza Bowl for its annual bowl-a-thon fundraiser.

On Saturday 108 teams participated in the event, which went from 1:30 p.m. to midnight.

“It’s our largest fundraiser of the year,” said Chantal Gladu, the organization’s executive director.

Each year the annual bowl-a-thon raises between $25,000 and $40,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sudbury, Gladu said.

The event also has a different theme each year, and for 2016 it was “Masquerade Bowl”.

Many participants wore colourful masquerade ball masks as they did their best to bowl strikes and spares.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sudbury currently matches more than 115 children – primarily from single-parent homes – with volunteers who help guide and support them until they turn 18.

But there are currently around 30 children on a waiting list to be matched with a big brother or big sister.

Gladu said the funds help match children with volunteers, but there is also a great need for adults to sign up.

They can do so by visiting the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sudbury website, or by calling 705-673-6161.

Gilles Aubin has been a big brother for 25 years, and said it has been one of the most rewarding experience of his life.

“It’s fun to see the smiles on their faces,” he said.

He was the best man for his first little brother, who is now a firefighter, and happily married with two children.

Aubin said he would often go fishing with his little brothers – he’s had five over the years – and took them on annual outings planned by the organization, including an annual trip to Canada’s Wonderland.