By Becky Walz,
Youth Mentoring at Helping Services for Youth & Families is hosting a bowl-a-thon on Saturday, March 19, at Skyline Lanes in Decorah.
Youth Mentoring at Helping Services for Youth & Families is hosting a bowl-a-thon on Saturday, March 19, at Skyline Lanes in Decorah. This event aims to raise $7,000 to connect youth in Allamakee, Howard and Winneshiek counties with a mentor and support the mentoring program. Currently, 75 people are involved in Youth Mentoring at Helping Services. Individuals can register now to bowl and/or donate to the cause. Register at www.helpingservices.org/YMBOWL by Friday, March 11, for a preferred bowling time.
Form a team of four bowlers or sign up to bowl individually and Helping Services will pair participants with others. Anyone can bowl at this event. Bowling times are 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. Registered bowlers are asked to seek donations of $25 or more to support the mission of Youth Mentoring. Those collecting more than $25 will be recognized in a special way at the event.
Donations are accepted in-person or online at www.helpingservices.org/YMBOWL, or mail to PO Box 372, Decorah, IA. All contributions are tax-deductible and gives area youth a person who supports them and creates opportunities to experience new things.
Area businesses have already contributed over $4,000 towards the $7,000 goal. Sponsors of $500 are Family Table Restaurant, Mabe’s Pizza and State Farm. Scott and Stacey Gossling shared, “Family Table has a long history of supporting youth mentoring. We love that our investment supports kids in the area and the families we serve!”
Sponsors of $300 include, Randy’s CARQUEST Auto Parts, Gundersen Health System, Harman Realty, Kelly Real Estate, Marine Credit Union, Thrivent, Winneshiek Medical Center – Mayo Health System and Ziegler AP.
Sponsors of $100-$250 include Burke Real Estate, CUSB Bank, Decorah Lions Club, Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank, Cheri Lane, Perry Novak Electric, David and Julie Olson, Reicks View Farms and Waukon State Bank – Viking State Bank. Five additional businesses and one individual have also contributed to the mission of youth mentoring by donating the amount that fits their pocketbook.
About the mentoring program
Mentors spend a minimum of four hours per month with their youth just being their friend. Mentors can be individuals, couples, and/or families. Short-term mentoring opportunities are also available and help provide rich experiences for area youth.
Mentors can spend time with their youth in the community doing things they enjoy together, or they can meet them for one hour per week at their school in Decorah, Cresco, New Albin and Lansing.
For more information on mentoring or the bowl-a-thon, contact Kathy or Colinne at mentoring@helpingservices.org or 563-387-1720.
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