People across Canada will bowl wearing their Halloween costumes and participate in the 2011 BMO Boolathon in support of Kids Help Phone on October 29 and 30.
Started as a single-location event by BMO Financial Group employees in 1991, the event is an annual Halloween-themed bowling fundraiser where families, neighbours, colleagues and friends get together, put their best costume forward, and hit the lanes so the kids across Canada can reach out for help at any time, for any reason. The event takes place in more than 50 communities across the country.
Kids Help Phone saw a 20% increase in service demand in 2011. The national, family-oriented fundraising event raises much-needed funds to ensure Kids Help Phone’s professional counsellors continue to be there for young people everywhere. Last year $1 million was raised.
“Every day, our counsellors hear from kids who are facing frustration, sadness, and uncertainty,” says Sharon Wood, president and CEO of Kids Help Phone. “The BMO Boolathon is absolutely critical to ensuring the young people in Canada continue to have a safe place to turn to when they feel ready to reach out to someone.”
“The BMO Boolathon has been a tremendous success since it started twenty years ago, and we are thrilled to see the difference this event has made in communities across Canada,” adds Richard Rudderham, executive vice president and head of Human Resources, BMO Financial Group. “The overwhelming community support and volunteerism of BMO employees from coast to coast demonstrates our commitment to supporting Canada’s youth, and we couldn’t be more excited to help make this the largest Boolathon ever.”
For a list of communities where the Boolathon is taking place this year, click here.