Bowl for Kids’ Sake

BANGOR – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Maine is gearing up for its seventh annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake fund-raising event and invites the community to join in the fun.

Bowl for Kids’ Sake bowlers and sponsors are those who want to give back to children in their own communities. Anyone and everyone can get involved as a bowler, team captain, or sponsor – or all three.

This year’s Bowl for Kids’ Sake event will take place:

. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at the Old Town Bowling Center.

. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, April 10, at Family Fun Lanes in Bangor.

To get involved, register a team and collect donations or pledges from friends, colleagues or neighbors. Then attend a bowling party. Bowl for Kids’ Sake is an outing with friends, family, civic groups or faith groups, and helps the program match more children with caring mentors. Skill and scores do not count; effort does.

Bowl for Kids’ Sake is the program’s most important fund-raising campaign. All money raised goes directly toward matching children with Big Brothers or Big Sisters in Eastern Maine.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Maine’s goal is to provide a Big Brother or Big Sister to every child who wants one. To reach that goal the program needs two things: volunteers and funds.

National research reveals that “Littles,” youngsters in the program, are more likely to show positive behavior in school and at home than children not matched with a “Big.” “Big” matches are effective because professional staff ensure that relationships are safe and rewarding for everyone involved.

For information about Bowl for Kids’ Sake, call (800) 492-5550, ext. 230, e-mail bbbs1@downeasthealth.org or www.downeastmentor.org.

Women’s self defense

VEAZIE – The Eastern Maine School of Self-Defense will offer a free women’s self-defense workshop at 10 a.m. March 20. Reservations are required, 990-9330.

Canoe race

The 39th annual Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race is set for 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 16. The race is a 16.5-mile open water course with 24 classes. Canoes must meet ACA WW open canoe specifications.

Preregistration for the race will be accepted until 1 p.m. Friday, April 15. After that time, registrants will be considered a race-day registration and will start at the end of the line on Saturday.

Prerace registration is $17 per person. Race day fee is $27. Participants must be at least 12 years old. Those under age 16 must have an adult in the canoe with them. Race registrations must be returned to Bangor Parks and Recreation.

Race registration forms are available at the Bangor Parks and Recreation office at 647 Main St., Epic Sports, the Old Town Canoe store or the Ski Rack in Bangor.

To obtain more information, call 947-1018, or visit www.bangormaine.gov and click on parks and recreation.