By Emily Jaycox For the Independent
The Heartland Youth Centre’s (HYC) 31st annual Lloyd’s Bowl for Kids was another success Friday, Feb. 22, raising about $17,000.
The final tally isn’t finished, but the event looks to have raised about $3,000 over last year’s total.
“It was really good,” said Winnie Bissett, executive director of HYC.
There were 30 teams for the charity bowl, made up of members of local businesses and organizations.
“It’s the most we’ve had in quite a few years,” said Bissett.
There were a few more teams entered this year, which helped bring in more dollars, says Bissett.
All funds raised for the bowl go towards the HYC’s Boys and Girls Club and the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) programs.
The event raises money through donations from businesses and organizations, as well as pledges for the bowlers.
“We get a lot of support.”
The event has been popular, as teams bowl for an hour and it’s a fun, sociable evening that “isn’t too taxing,” says Bissett.
This year’s theme was nursery rhymes.
Costumes ranged from blind mice, Little Red Riding Hood, Little Bo Peep and his sheep, Humpty Dumpty, and even Shrek made an appearance.
Bisett herself was dressed as the little old lady who lived in a shoe.
Last year, the bowlers dressed for a “hillbilly hoedown” theme.
“I think everyone enjoys it,” she said, adding she hears people look forward to the event each year.
A few longtime participants of the charity bowl include Stettler Veterinary Clinic, Stettler Elementary School, and Stettler Family and Community Support Services (FCSS).
For many years, the RBC has put in a team and has volunteered to man the pledge table.
The charity bowl was renamed to honour the late Lloyd Smith, a fundraiser and supporter of HYC.
Before his passing in 2011, Smith ran the bowl for 17 years, raising over $70,000 in total for the HYC.