Guelph Gryphons raise $8,300 for Big Brothers Big Sisters Guelph
The Big Brothers Big Sisters Guelph Bowl for Kid’s Sake event kicked off on March 16, 2016 at Woodlawn Bowl. The event, in its 41st year, consists of four nights of fundraising, one in March and three in April, with the goal of raising $55,000 dollars for the charity.
The first night saw teams of four to six players, made up of Guelph Gryphon varsity athletes. The Gryphons have been involved with Big Brother Big Sisters Guelph for six years, and in that time they have raised more than $60,000 for the community.
[pullquote align=”left” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]…always looking for more mentors to help out.[/pullquote]
Each varsity team arrived fully clad in red, black and gold. Some teams wore their jerseys, or matching shirts, but all teams showed school spirit and proudly represented their respective sport. The aim was to have each team donate at least $600. That amount would equate to funding a year long one-on-one mentorship program for a big and a little brother or sister.
The turnout this year was impressive. There were a total of 25 teams present that were made up of Gryphon varsity athletes, plus a couple of administration teams.
“This is one of our best years ever, there’s no doubt about it,” said Big Brothers Big Sisters Guelph development and communications manager Mike Treadgold. “I think that, as we continue to develop our relationship with the Gryphons, they all hear about it from their teammates—about how much fun they have. A lot of people don’t really think of bowling as a fun, team building social activity, but if you look out here today, they’re having fun.”
There was no doubt that the Gryphon teams were having a great time as they hooted and hollered at each other in friendly competition.
Big Brothers Big Sisters now makes it very easy for University of Guelph students to partake in their mentorship program. The lowest time commitment is four months, which coincides with the university semester. There are 36 elementary and high schools that are associated with the program, and they are always looking for more mentors to help out.
“It’s a great way for students to get involved for as a little as an hour every week, every two weeks that kind of thing. We’re always in the need of more mentors, especially male mentors,” Treadgold explained.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is an important mentoring program for students, often identified by their teachers, who are in need of role models that they may not be able to get elsewhere. Some of the athletes present were little brothers or sisters growing up in Guelph.
“It built a huge confidence in me, growing up with no big male figure in my life,” said Reza Shayani, a member of the Gryphon football team.
Shayani hopes he can continue to help out in the future. “It’s the least I can do, I wish I could do more, but one day I hope I’ll be a big [brother].”
In an impressive feat, the Gryphon varsity teams raised $8,300 for Big Brothers Big Sisters Guelph.