LEWISTON – The Child Health Center is gearing up for the 2008 Bowl for Kids’ Sake, an annual event that supports their Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs.

Throughout the year more than 300 Bigs throughout Androscoggin County meet with elementary and middle school children to act as positive role models and offer extra support.

These “Bigs” are Big Brothers and Big Sisters who are matched through the Child Health Center’s Big Brothers Big Sisters site-based and community-based mentoring programs.

As part of the site-based program, high school and college students and adults meet for an hour a week with children in elementary and middles schools. During that time Bigs and Littles do school work, play games and spend time talking.

In the community-based program adults from the community are matched with a young person age 8 to 12. Bigs and Littles spend a minimum of six hours a month together participating in a variety of activities

The programs are sponsored, in part, by the annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake Bowling event, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 29 and 30, at Spare-Time Recreation.

To participate, form a team of four and raise a minimum of $35 in sponsorship a bowler. Call the Child Heath Center’s Big Brothers Big Sisters at 782-5437 to get team packets. All proceeds will support the school- and community-based matches throughout Androscoggin County.