It will be raining golf balls over Useless Bay Golf and Country Club this summer.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County is organizing a helicopter golf ball drop for Saturday, Aug. 29. Thousands of balls with participants’ names will be released over a target on the course.

The ball that lands closest to the target is the winner, and the owner will receive $1,000.

Tickets are $5 each, and went on sale May 1 at Useless Bay Golf and Country Club and the Big Brothers Big Sisters offices in Langley and Oak Harbor. Tickets will also be available at local outdoor events such as Choochokam Arts in Langley and local farmers markets.

You don’t have to be present to win. There also will be food, golf-related games and other activities. Proceeds will support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County’s mission to match children with mentors from the community.

The agency offers school-based and community-based programs island-wide. Volunteers are matched with youngsters ages 6 to 14.

In the past 10 years, the agency has matched nearly 2,500 children with volunteers.

For more information, call executive director Peggy Dyer at 360-279-0644 or e-mail bbbs@whidbey.net.

To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters, click here.