Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma's annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake fundraising event will come to a close Wednesday with a celebration party and bowling at HeyDay Entertainment. The event will be emceed by KJ103 morning radio hosts TJ, Amanda and JRod.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma has operated in Norman for more than 50 years, providing long-term mentorship and support for children navigating difficult life experiences. Its annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake event plays a large part in raising awareness and funding for the organization, according to Michael Stuemky, Norman area director of the program.
“It creates a swell of support, also, for the soul of what it is that we do, … ” Stuemky said. “It is a very important event for us.”
The fundraiser begins in January and acts as a crowdsourcing mechanism where businesses, organizations or other groups of people raise funds to cover the cost of their bowling teams.
Stuemky said this approach is less pressure than a traditional fundraiser or gala.
“(The bowling) is more so an event to kind of cap or give a thank you to all the people that we have that have built this community of caregiving for our mission,” Stuemky said.
Tracy Bates, owner of HeyDay Entertainment Norman, has hosted The Bowl For Kids’ Sake celebration for approximately five years, and Bates welcomes the event with open arms.
“Part of our mission statement is to have a positive impact in the communities we serve, …” Bates said. “We’ve always been a supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters.”
Bates said it’s important to support the organization since the success of her establishment is due to the Norman community.
Lydia Bare, business manager of Bare Property Management, is one community member who rallied colleagues to raise awareness and funds for Bowl For Kids’ Sake. Bare said her work with other charities inspired her to collaborate with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“The more that I spent that time with them, the more I was like, ‘This is just amazing, …’” Bare said. “So we jumped in with Bowl For Kids’ Sake and a couple other events that they have.”
Bare said the willingness of Norman’s community to help the cause is outstanding, and it makes her happy to see the support.
“What more could you ask for than to have our Norman community as strong as it is?” Bare said.
Local radio personalities TJ, Amanda and JRod of KJ103 FM will emcee the event.
The morning show hosts have previously worked with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, and Stuemky said Amanda reached out to him for this event because she cares about the city of Norman.
TJ and JRod commented on the significance of providing mentors for kids who need an extra adult in their lives.
“That's one of the most important things you can do for the next generation of kids. Be there for them,” TJ said.
That’s part of what the organization is about, according to Stuemky.
“As a former teacher myself, I see the value of the difference between kids that have those support mechanisms versus those that don’t, and I adore that we have a part in that,” Stuemky said.
The general consensus among those involved is that the organization’s mission works. According to Bare, 20% of kids who go through the program have a higher chance of going to college and over 90% observe a decrease in truancy and drug abuse.
“The numbers show how successful this program is in the success of the children that are involved in the program, and that, to me, just speaks volumes,” Amanda said.
At time of publication, the fundraiser had garnered around $38,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Stuemky said it’s because of community members pitching in.
“There's not a person in our community that doesn't have the ability to impact and influence our mission. … Don’t choose to wait till tomorrow,” Stuemky said. “Do this work today that ignites potential.”
This story was edited by Madisson Cameron. Larkin Bock and Tori Pham copy edited this story.
