More than 95 bowlers on 23 teams took to the lanes at Meaford Bowl on Saturday March 6th in support of the 'Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl For Kids Sake'.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Georgian Triangle recently extended their service area to include Meaford, and this was the first time the annual bowling fund-raising event was held in Meaford.
In 2009 the initiative raised more than $94,000 according to Karen Webb who is the Executive Director of the Georgian Triangle BBBS.
“This is our first one in Meaford, it will become an annual event,” Webb told The Independent.
The money raised is used to fund a variety of programs for area youth including in-school mentoring, after school programs, and leadership training for high school aged students.
Two of the teams that participated on Saturday were the Meaford Fire Department and a team consisting of Meaford council members.
Fire Chief Steve Nickels had issued a challenge to the councillors who responded by entering a team consisting of Mayor Francis Richardson, Councillors Lynda Stephens, Gerald Shortt, Jim McPherson, as well as Michael Richardson.
As the two teams squared off in what Fire Chief Nickels described as “An embarrassing show of athleticism,” very few bowling pins were harmed during the match which featured plenty of gutter balls, and much laughter.
When asked about his teams performance, Nickels revealed his strategy.
“Well, it's budget time, so we have to let them (the council team) win,” laughed Nickels.
Mayor Richardson was pleased to have the event taking place in Meaford.
“My bowling is terrible, but it is great fun,” said Richardson, “It is a tremendous community event, and I hope it raises lots of money for the Big Brothers Big Sisters.”
And that it did. The Meaford edition of the event raised $7,693.
