The sounds of classic rock echoed throughout Rev Bowling Lanes as Quesnel Big Brothers Big Sisters marked their return to major fundraising events.
Their annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake took place on Friday, April 29, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“We made it,” Big Brothers Big Sisters of Quesnel executive director Joanie Newman said before the event kicked off.
“Now we just have to transition back to the new norm, and that’s going to be difficult.”
The theme for the 2022 event was “rock n’ bowl,” with participants going all out to wear their greatest rock star gear to bowl.
“We had the golf last year, but this is the major fundraiser for the year, and we really missed it,” Newman said.
Newman said the group cut down drastically on group activities during the pandemic, instead of focusing on take-home activities.
“We (bought) groceries and the kids could make a meal with their family because they couldn’t meet with their big,” she said.
“We found a recipe, bought all the ingredients and then we delivered it to their house.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters was majorly affected throughout the pandemic, as they relied on school facilities to host programming.
“We’re just getting (back) into the schools now,” Newman said.
“We haven’t had any in-school mentoring programs or group programs.”
Newman added that they are always looking for people to volunteer to be a big brother or big sister.
“(The volunteer base) is coming back, and we still need more,” she said.
“With mental health being what it is, we need to have more people to help the kids.”
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Newman said to be a big brother or big sister a volunteer needs time, dedication and a love of kids.
“Since January, we’ve had three new bigs, so that’s really good,” Newman said.
“It’s really needed.”
To volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Quesnel, check out their website at quesnel.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca.
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