Youth Mentoring Bowl-A-Thon seeks bowlers, support for March 19 event
Become a mentor ... Evie and her mentor, Maryann, (both from Lansing) do so many funs things, like seeing plays together. The Youth Mentoring Bowl-a-Thon is scheduled for March 19 in Decorah. Submitted photo.
Youth Mentoring at Helping Services for Youth & Families is hosting a bowl-a-thon Saturday, March 19 at Skyline Lanes in Decorah. This event aims to raise $7,000 to connect youth in Allamakee, Howard and Winneshiek counties with a mentor.
Currently, 75 people are involved in Youth Mentoring at Helping Services. Now is the time to strike up a conversation with friends, neighbors, club members and co-workers to form a team to bowl. Proceeds support those youth and adults being friends in mentoring, and involvement can happen in two important ways: register to bowl and/or donate to the cause.
Registration is now open at www.helpingservices.org/YMBOWL. Form a team of four members, or individuals can also sign up to bowl and Helping Services will pair them with others. Anyone can bowl at this event. Bowlers do not have to be associated with mentoring to bowl. Bowling times are 10 a.m., Noon and 2 p.m. Bowlers are asked to register by Friday, March 11 to get their preferred bowling time.
After registering, bowlers are asked to seek donations of $25 or more to support the mission of Youth Mentoring. Donations can be collected in person and online. Those collecting more than $25 can be recognized in a special way at the event.
“This fundraiser is a great opportunity for community members to gather with their family, co-workers, friends and neighbors while raising money for a worthy cause and have fun bowling together,” states Kathy Schwartzhoff, Mentoring Coordinator at Helping Services.
For those where bowling isn’t up their alley, they can still be involved. Donate online at www.helpingservices.org/YMBOWL or mail to P.O. Box 372, Decorah, IA 52101. Anyone can also contribute when a bowler asks them to support their team. Contributions are tax-deductible, and it gives many area youth a person who supports them and creates opportunities for them to experience new things.
Area businesses have already contributed over $4,000 towards the $7,000 goal. Sponsors donating $500 are Family Table Restaurant, Mabe’s Pizza and State Farm. Scott and Stacey Gossling share, “Family Table has a long history of supporting Youth Mentoring. We love that our investment supports kids in the area and the families we serve!”
Sponsors contributing $300 include Randy’s CARQUEST Auto Parts, Gundersen Health System, Harman Realty, Kelly Real Estate, Marine Credit Union, Thrivent, Winneshiek Medical Center|Mayo Health System and Ziegler AP.
Sponsors donating $100-$250 include Burke Real Estate, CUSB Bank, Decorah Lions Club, Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank, Cheri Lane, Perry Novak Electric, David and Julie Olson, Reicks View Farms and Waukon State Bank|Viking State Bank. Five additional businesses and one individual have also contributed to the mission of Youth Mentoring by donating the amount that fits their pocketbook.
Mentors spend a minimum of four hours per month with their youth just being their friend. Mentors can be individuals, couples and/or families. Short-term mentoring opportunities, which are a great way to get started, are also available and help provide rich experiences for area youth. Mentors can spend time with their youth in the community doing things they enjoy together or they can meet them for one hour per week at their school in Decorah, Cresco, New Albin and Lansing.
For more information on how to become involved in this volunteer opportunity or how to be part of the March 19 day of bowling, contact Kathy or Colinne at mentoring@helpingservices.org or 563-387-1720. Serving families since 1973, Helping Services for Youth & Families is dedicated to responding to current health and safety needs of youth and families through empowerment, support and education.
