This year’s Bowl for Kids Sake was red and white themed for Canada’s 150th birthday. 32 teams of JDI employees raised funds and "changed shoes to change lives" at Fairview Bowling Lanes on Thursday evening. Each team had four to six members who all brought their fun and competitive spirits to the lanes in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Saint John. The total raised by PALS at JDI was $115, 000!

JDI employees work hard throughout the year to raise funds for this annual Big Brothers Big Sisters event. Employees get together as friends, family, or co-workers and show support! The evening was a great success! 

"The fundraising from Bowl for Kids Sake takes up about 33% of our operating budget. It's really vital that we have this type of event annually in order to support the work we do. To serve kids and match with mentors, recruit, train volunteers, and supervise matches is an ongoing process. The efforts of the JDI teams makes it possible to continue to serve the 400 kids we already do plus add additional kids and matches to the program," said Laurie Collins, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Saint John

"It's a great time for a great cause. The whole team gets behind the fundraising with everything from donations, bake sales, silent auctions and even ‘guess how many wood chips in a jar’. To be able to participate in this type of event and make a difference in our community is a big deal for our employees," said Jason Limongelli, VP of Woodlands

JDI and its employees have been involved in this event since 2000, as part of their ongoing commitment to support children through the PALS program. Since 2009 JDI has raised $787, 706 for Big Brothers Big Sisters Saint John. 

About PALS

PALS (Partners Assisting Local Schools) is an internationally and nationally honoured anti-poverty initiative, founded in 2000 by Mr. J.K. Irving and former School District 8 now Anglophone School District – South.

For more information on PALS, please contact Debbie Fisher, Partners Assisting Local Schools (PALS) Coordinator at fisher.deborah@jdirving.com.