An opportunity to wear those fashionable bowling shoes won’t be the only reason hundreds of NIU students and faculty will use the Huskie Den lanes from Feb. 19 to 21.

NIU once again will participate in “Bowl for Kids’ Sake” to raise money for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters programs, which aim to provide role models for young children.

Bowl for Kids’ Sake, held nationwide, is a key event for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, bringing in about 65 percent of their annual budget.

Kristen Porter, coordinator of development at the DeKalb family service agency, credits tremendous community and volunteer support for the event’s yearly success.

“DeKalb is one of the biggest and most successful in the state and nationwide,” Porter said.

For the event, bowlers must form teams of four to six individuals. To register, teams can call Big Brothers/Big Sisters at 758-8616, or pick up a packet in the Campus Life Building, at the University Programming and Activities office. There’s no registration deadline, but Michelle Bringas, program coordinator for the UP&A, recommends registering soon because the event works on a first come, first serve basis.

Team members then must obtain sponsors who can pledge either an amount per bowling pin or a flat dollar amount. Ann Wilson, Big Brothers/Big Sisters director, encourages each bowler to raise $50 or receive 10 pledges.

Anyone raising more than $100 will receive a Bowl for Kids’ Sake T-shirt, and prizes like airline tickets and Palm Pilots are available to those who raise the most money in DeKalb County (Sandwich and Sycamore also will hold the event starting Feb. 28 and March 4, respectively).

Teams then will bowl Feb. 19 (residence hall theme night), Feb. 20 (SA organization theme night) or Feb. 21 (Greek theme night). Teams have the option of bowling at 4, 5, 6 or 7 p.m any of these nights.

The nights’ themes are designed to encourage people to bowl with people who have common interests, but the teams aren’t limited to a specific night, Bringas said.

The final step is for bowlers to collect and turn in pledges to the Big Brother/Big Sisters office by April 13.

The goal for DeKalb County is $166,085, with NIU’s share being $17,700. Bringas believes the goal can be achieved easily if every team raises their share.

“NIU got involved because they realize the importance of the club to the community,” Bringas said.

“They have a very positive impact on the children,” Bringas added. “This is one of the ways we can get behind them.”

Wilson stressed the importance of the club in the community.

“For most of the kids involved, it’s very important,” she said. “It’s such a complement for what a parent can provide.”

With more than 100 matches for children in the area, Wilson said the Brothers and Sisters that volunteer give the kids an important sense of self-purpose and self-esteem.

Porter encourages everybody to get involved in some way.

“This is a big event for the Big Brother program,” Porter said. “There are lots of children who depend on this program.”