A Word from Our CEO, Stephen A. Koch

Dear Bowl For Kids' Sake participants:

Thank you for helping us raise $167,00 thus far in our Bowl For Kids' Sake campaign!  This total is inclusive of sponsorships, lane sign sales, and  bowler pledges/donations through May 1. These funds have always been critical to our operations and are a key element to our ability to serve over 2,300 children this year with a Big Brother or Big Sister. Due to the impact the recession has had on our fundraising efforts over the last 16 months, these dollars are more precious than ever before.

In Hillsborough County we have raised thus far a total of $128, 219 for Bowl For Kids' Sake; in Pasco County we have raised $16,129; and $16, 574 is the total so far in Polk County. In 2009, we raised a total of $178,000 as part of this campaign. More people than ever before formed 'virtual' bowling teams on-line this year, and raised thousands of dollars from friends and family members nationwide without picking up a bowling ball or wearing those colorful bowling shoes!! To date, over $62,500 was raised via our on-line Bowl For Kids' Sake site, which is a new record for us. All the above amounts are included in the $167,000 total referenced above.

JPMorgan Chase is hosting a private Bowl For Kids' Sake party later this month for their employees and vendors. If your business is also interested in hosting a similar event, please contact Amy Neff, 813.769.3636 or e-mail amy.neff@bbbs.org. We will be happy to coordinate this with you. We will also host our Debits and Credits bowling tournament for our accounting/CPA friends later this year, stay tuned,

Finally, this year I want to strongly encourage everyone to continue to raise dollars and pledges for their Bowl For Kids' Sake team! It is important for us to still reach our $225,000 goal to avoid more cuts! If everyone continues to raise a few additional dollars, we can make this goal! In addition, it will increase your chance of winning some great prizes, including a chance to watch the Tampa Bay Rays in style from a suite at Tropicana Field.

Thank you again for your great support! Your efforts are appreciated more than you probably realize.

Very truly yours,

Stephen A. Koch/CEO, President and Big Brother