CAMDEN — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine is inviting businesses, organizations and individuals to participate in its annual Bowl For Kids' Sake event. Bowlers on each team raise pledge money to support youth mentoring in Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot, Somerset and Waldo counties.

From April 8-15, bowling will be held in the Midcoast at Oakland Park Lanes in Rockport, All-Play Family Entertainment Center in Belfast and Waldoboro, and Point Lookout Lanes in Northport.

Both weeknight and weekend dates and times are available.

Bowl for Kids' Sake is the agency's largest fundraising event of the year and involves hundreds of teams raising pledges to support Big Brothers Big Sisters' 1-to-1 youth mentoring program. Last year's event raised approximately $270,000 for the agency.

"Each year, this event grows larger, with more teams participating," said event coordinator Cathy Hardy in a news release. "Last year we drew 519 teams, and we expect to have well over 600 teams this year."

She encourages teams to register online by going to bbbsmidmaine.org to select their bowling date and time. They can also set up an online pledge page so friends and supporters can make online donations to support their bowling team.

"Anyone can form a team — businesses, service and community organizations, public health and safety workers, sports teams, school clubs, teachers, individuals. All it takes is four or five people who want to bowl together and support Big Brothers Big Sisters," Hardy said.

Local businesses can also support the event by donating prizes for the event and encouraging their employees to form teams. Individual bowlers who raise $100 or more will automatically be entered in a raffle drawing to win a $1,000 cash prize in each region. Teams that reach the $500 goal will also receive Bowl For Kids' Sake T-shirts.

Costumes, clever team names and friendly competition are also encouraged. Business teams will be joined by Big/Little matches who participate in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Community-Based Mentoring program, so bowlers can meet some of the children who benefit from the program.

Alex Gaeth, CEO of BBBSMM said, "Bowl For Kids' Sake is critical because it enables the program to be provided at no cost. Removing the barrier of cost ensures Littles and their families can access this opportunity to build a successful future."

Call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine at 236-2227 to receive a Bowl for Kids’ Sake packet.