Youth Mentoring Bowl-A-Thon seeks bowlers, support for March 19 event

Youth Mentoring at Helping Services for Youth & Families is hosting a bowl-a-thon 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.

Currently, 75 people are involved in Youth Mentoring at Helping Services. Now is the time to strike up a conversation with friends, neighbors, club members and co-workers to form a team to bowl. Proceeds support those youth and adults being friends in mentoring, and involvement can happen in two important ways: register to bowl and/or donate to the cause.

Registration is now open at www.helpingservices.org/YMBOWL. Form a team of four members, or individuals can also sign up to bowl and Helping Services will pair them with others. Anyone can bowl at this event. Bowlers do not have to be associated with mentoring to bowl. Bowling times are 10 a.m., Noon and 2 p.m. Bowlers are asked to register by Friday, March 11 to get their preferred bowling time.

After registering, bowlers are asked to seek donations of $25 or more to support the mission of Youth Mentoring. Donations can be collected in person and online. Those collecting more than $25 can be recognized in a special way at the bowling event.

For those where bowling isn’t up their alley, they can still be involved. Donate online at www.helpingservices.org/YMBOWL or mail to P.O. Box 372, Decorah, IA 52101. Anyone can also contribute when a bowler asks them to support their team. Contributions are tax-deductible, and it gives many area youth a person who supports them and creates opportunities to experience new things.

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, which are a great way to get started, are also available and help provide rich experiences for area youth.

For more information on how to become involved in this volunteer opportunity or how to be part of the March 19 day of bowling, contact Kathy or Colinne at mentoring@helpingservices.org or 563-387-1720.