The 46th annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraiser is underway, with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grey, Bruce and West Simcoe calling on residents in Hanover and the surrounding region to support local youth mentoring programs. The long-running event aims to raise $50,000 this year to ensure children and youth ages 6 to 18 continue to receive free one-to-one and group mentorship at no cost to their families.
Community members can participate in the fundraiser by forming teams or registering as individuals to collect donations. As of early April 2026, the campaign had already raised over $4,000 from 53 donations. Currently, the Baymount Bowlers lead the team fundraising efforts with $1,000, while Melissa Bentz is the top individual fundraiser with $620 collected so far.
The event features bowling sessions at two locations this month. Participants can visit The Bowling Alley in Owen Sound on April 9 and 12, or Georgian Bowl in Collingwood on April 16 and 17. In addition to the bowling matches, the organization is hosting an online silent auction until 11:45 p.m. on Sunday, April 19. The auction includes a variety of items, such as cottage stays, rounds of golf, and a boat cruise in Tobermory.
Awards will be presented to the top individual and team fundraisers, as well as the recipient of the Bill Murdoch Highest Score Award for the top bowler. Since its incorporation in 1960, the agency has served the area for over 60 years, with a service region that spans more than 11,000 square kilometres across Grey, Bruce, and West Simcoe counties, including the town of Hanover.
Executive Director Beth Aubrey oversees the agency’s operations and programs, which rely on the annual success of this fundraiser to maintain the mentoring relationships that help build confidence and resilience in local youth.
