PARIS – The largest fundraiser for the local Big Brothers Big Sisters program will take place 10 a.m. Saturday at Hobbs Lucky Lanes.

Teams of four will bowl to raise money for the program, which is run by the Child Health Center in Norway. According to community relations coordinator Patricia Ann Valeriani, 20 teams have signed up for the “Bowl for Kids’ Sake” event, and new teams are welcomed.

Unlike bowling fundraisers where sponsors pledge a certain amount for every pin knocked down, team members are required to raise a minimum of $30 to participate in the event.

“We don’t do the pin thing because it just gets too cumbersome,” says Valeriani.

Bowlers will have an opportunity to win prizes, including a grand prize of a 42-inch plasma TV. Participants will receive a raffle ticket for the grand prize drawing for every $100 they raise.

“Just about everyone walks away with something,” says Valeriani.

Local businesses have sponsored the costs required to put on the event, such as rental of the alley and bowling shoes.

The Child Health Center was established in 1977. Its programs include Parent Place, which works with adolescent parents, a developmental therapy preschool and developmental evaluation clinic, and the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, which has three mentoring programs of its own. Valeriani says BBBS has made 120 matches in Oxford County.

According to the official Web site, the BBBS stated mission is to “help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-on-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth.”