CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Over $25,000 was raised for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville as part of this week’s Bankers’ Challenge Bowl for Kids’ Sake Fundraiser.
The event was the organization’s first since last year’s Bowl for Kids’ Sake, and it exceeded its goal by more than $5,000, according to executive director Chris Buerck.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters – we’re all about relationships anyway,” she said. “To be able to get the entire financial community together to build that relationship within them, that means more to us.
“This event will support us being able to match more kids in the community with mentors who can help them with all sorts of things: self-esteem, their school grades, their aspirations, setting goals, realizing their potential; that’s what a mentor can do for them. It’s very simple, but it’s all about a relationship and that’s what we try to facilitate.”
130 participants across six banks registered for the fundraiser on Monday. Legends Bank, F&M Bank, US Bank, Cumberland Bank and Trust, Fortera and Altra Federal Credit Union separated into 26 teams at the Pinnacle for a night of celebratory bowling and giveaways.
F&M Bank won awards for the highest fundraising bank and the highest fundraising team. Their Sango branch, the “F&M Female Furies,” raised $5,700 and the bank as a whole earned $13,433.
“I love just having the opportunity to get everybody together and to be able to support Big Brothers Big Sisters,” said Eric Norman, board president of BBBS. “Hopefully it drives some people into volunteering and becoming bigs and getting involved with our agency.”
This year’s Community Bowl for Kids’ Sake will be held Saturday, July 24, at the Pinnacle. Visit BBBS Clarksville’s website to sign up or learn more about the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.