Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region (BBBSCR) seeks adults volunteers to mentor youths. As of April 8, more than 80 youths were on BBBSCR's wait list across its service area, comprising Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and Perry counties. The kids, ages 7 to 17, are enrolled in BBBSCR's one-to-one community-based mentoring program. Adult mentors, known as Bigs, spend a few hours each month with their mentees, called Littles, for low-cost or no-cost activities.

BBBSCR supports 500 to 700 youths and their families annually. Volunteers are asked to commit to mentor their Little for a minimum of a year, but many decide to continue meeting with their Little over the course of several years. Throughout the lifetime of the match relationship, BBBSCR staff members communicate with parents, volunteers and youths, providing guidance, resources, trainings, activities and general support.

Additionally, the agency is raising funds to support its current matches and the increased demand for volunteer mentors. Community members and companies are invited to join BBBSCR for its Bowl for Kids' Sake fundraiser, sponsored by Hershey's Chocolate World. So far, the organization has raised over $80,000 of its $100,000 goal. As of April 8, BBBSCR needed 40 additional bowling teams via individuals or company sponsorships for its upcoming events.

Bowl for Kids' Sake events will take place on Saturday, April 23, at 2:30 p.m. at ABC East Lanes, 1001 Eisenhower Blvd., Harrisburg; Thursday, April 28, at 6 p.m. at Midway Bowl, 1561 Holly Pike, Carlisle; and Friday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m. at Palmyra Bowling, 1218 E. Main St., Palmyra. To register for an event, visit http://www.capbigs.org.

To sign up to volunteer with BBBSCR, visit https://capbigs.org/be-a-mentor/.