Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County expanded its Bowl For Kids’ Sake to Coupeville on a recent Saturday, and about 50 bowlers came out to support local kids and the mentoring agency, including teams from South Whidbey.

It was the first time that the mentoring agency held the event at Ebey Bowl, and organizers said it was a huge success as the teams had a blast.

The largest individual contributor was Jon Gabelein with $400. Gabelein is a teacher at Coupeville High School and wholeheartedly embraces the mission of mentorship. He previously worked as a program coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Prior to the event, Shelli Trumbull of Cascade Insurance sponsored a fundraising evening to help raise money in support of the National Honor Society mentors, which raised more than $2,000. All totaled, nearly $6,000 was raised to support the agency’s work.

The bowling fundraiser at Coupeville’s Ebey Bowl was the second event during Big Brothers Big Sisters‘

13th annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake. One week earlier, 150 bowlers raised money at Oak Bowl in Oak Harbor.

Both days, teams bowled for fun prizes, pizza and bragging rights while helping to raise needed funds for the mentoring agency.

Donations can still be made online at www.bbbsislandcounty.org or at the BBBBS offices in Langley and Oak Harbor.

Other ways to get involved include volunteering as a “Big,” or during one of the agency’s fundraising events throughout the year, including the upcoming Whidbey Play House Buy-Out, the helicopter golf ball drop in the summer, the annual pet mayor contest, and the Festival of Trees in December.

To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters, call South Whidbey site director Michaela Marx Wheatley at  221-6808, ext. 5417 or visit bbbs@whidbey.net.