Mentoring program seeks community support

Helping Services for Northeast Iowa's Mentoring Program has a new goal for its upcoming BIG Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser taking place at Oneota Lanes in Decorah March 22. The program is seeking donations from individuals, businesses and community groups with the goal of raising $13,000 to support the mission of the program. Pictured above with one of the "fund-ometers" that will be used to keep track of the fundraising goal are, left to right, mentor Connie Buresh of Waukon with her youth mentee, Marilyn Zweibahmer and Kathy Schwartzhoff of the Helping Services for Northeast Iowa Mentoring Program, and mentor Steve Oden of Waukon with his youth mentee.
The Mentoring Program created this year's BIG theme because its funding sources are being reduced due to Federal funding cuts. But the theme's focus is not just on raising BIG funds, but also on having community members understand that their investment is also BIG to the existence of the mentoring program.
Sponsorships are currently being sought from businesses and individuals to become sponsors for the Bowl-A-Thon event. As indicated in the photo above, a total of $6,400 has already been raised. In addition to the thermometer pictured above at the Waukon Wellness Center/NICC location, thermometers measuring the community's support are also located at Culver's and the Helping Services office in Decorah and at Beadle Park in Cresco.
There are competitive and fun-filled ideas flowing in the community as businesses, friends and families are forming teams to participate at the Bowl-A-Thon event. Teams consist of four team members who agree to collect donations for the mentoring program. Each bowler is asked to collect $50 or more to support mentoring. Teams can request to bowl at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. and must register by either contacting Kathy at Helping Services at 563-387-1720 or by logging into www.helpingservices.org/mentoring.
Mentoring Programs strive to connect youth with caring adults in the counties of Allamakee, Howard,and Winneshiek. Mentors spend four to five hours per month with their youth doing things they both enjoy. Mentors and mentees are needed to help the program grow. There is a particular need for girls ages five to 16 in Waukon, Decorah and Cresco. For more information on how to become involved in the BIG Mentoring Bowl-A-Thon or Mentoring Programs at Helping Services, contact Kathy or Marilyn at 563-387-1720 or www.helpinaservices.ora/mentorinq.