Final numbers are still a few weeks off, but the local Big Brothers agency is hopeful this year's bowl-a-thon will net much needed cash to keep helping Langley children.

Bowling sessions were held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Willowbrook Lanes, with one more set for mid-month to accommodate approximately 40 teams that signed up to help Big Brothers Big Sisters of Langley this year.

Each year, the national child-mentoring agency hosts Bowl For Kids Sake, and this year local executive director Mary Reeves was elated with the support.

"We're just so grateful for everyone who came out," she said, part way through Saturday's bowling event.

"The great thing about this event is that it's not about bowling, and it's not about being an expert, t's just about having fun and raising money to help kids," Reeves said.

Due to sponsorships, the annual fundraiser is almost entirely a profit-maker for the agency.

"Whatever we get is good. We're shooting for about $30,000 this year, we may be a bit shy, but we're happy with whatever we get from the community."

In addition to having Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender, Langley Township Mayor Jack Froese, and MLA Mary Polak on hand to kickoff the 1 p.m. bowl on Saturday, bowlers were treated to pizza and birthday cake.

This year marks the 100th year that Big Brothers has been operating in Canada, and consequently Reeves and her team chose a happy birthday theme for this year's event.

It's not too late to donate. That can be donate, or to find out more information about the local mentoring agency at www.bbbslangley.com.

- Stay tuned to the print and online editions of the Langley Advance for more about this year's Bowl For Kids Sake

rhooper@langleyadvance.com