TRURO - For more than two decades, Pam Mattatall has been a familiar face at the annual Bowl for Kids event.
"I always lean toward doing things that help out children," said Mattatall, who works with Patterson Law and has been entering a team in the fundraiser for about 25 years.
"It's for a really good cause. We have some of our co-workers at the office that have been mentors and they have said first hand how beneficial it is."
This will be the 30th year the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colchester has held the event, following five years of it being known as Bowl for Millions.
"Now, in the 35th year and $1,280,000 later, we continue to thrive," said Michelle Misener, executive director of the branch, during a breakfast Thursday morning to kick off the event. "And that's because of the people in this room."
Each year she's participated in the event, Mattatall gets the initiative started at the office and helps fundraise.
"We usually aim for about $1,000, but I think our highest was about $1,600. We try to get higher each year," she said.
During yesterday's kickoff, about 50 people watched a video featuring Matt Bates, a Colchester County native who was a little brother from the time he was seven until he turned 19.
He talked about the benefits of being a little brother to a couple, who quickly became and have remained a second family to him.
"It's amazing isn't it? Hearing those stories really puts it into perspective. It's just wonderful," said Mattatall, adding she attended a presentation a couple of years ago and heard from a local girl who had been a little sister and was able to attend university with the assistance of the organization.
"It was an amazing story."
Attending the kickoff with Mattatall was Pam Chisling, who said it's not only children with the organization who benefit from Bowl for Kids.
"I've been able to get my kids involved," she said. "It gives you a chance to teach them that we're helping kids just like them."
With this year's event scheduled for March 23 at the Bible Hill Bowlacade, Misener is hoping to see some new faces among those returning.
"What we need is more teams so we can raise more money to help more kids," she said. "Bowl for Kids is really fun and it's really healthy."
The goal this year is to raise $65,000, which is 20 per cent more than the goal set for 2012.
"I know it can be done and that's apparent with the enthusiasm of the committee we have in place. It's not about bowling. It's about the kids."
Teams can register in groups of five and members collect pledges either in person or online. This year's theme is ‘Once Upon a Time,' but it's not a requirement to dress in costume.
For more information, call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colchester at 895-4562, or visit colchesterkids.ca.
rtetanish@trurodaily.com
