Big Brothers, Sisters agency benefits from bail money
Community members got on the wrong side of the law for a good cause Wednesday.
Niagara Regional Police and Big Brothers, Big Sisters of St. Catharines–Thorold and District teamed up for the fifth annual Jail and Bail event.
Community members nominated someone of their choosing who then was mock-arrested and brought to a makeshift jail in Market Square in downtown St. Catharines. The ‘jail bird’ then had to raise $300 in pledges to post bail and get out.
“It’s going well. We have had quite a few of the prisoners not know that they were being arrested so it’s been a lot of fun and they collected a lot of money for not knowing that they were coming in today,” said Jodi Healey, executive assistant for the local Big Brothers, Big Sisters chapter.
The goal this year is $10,000 with all of the money benefiting the Game On! and Go Girls! programs run by the Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
Last year the event raised more than $23,000, but that goal may be a bit out of reach this year.
“It isn’t the same as last year,” said Marci Clarkson, fundraising and business development manager for Big Brothers, Big Sisters. “Last year we had some big runners. There was one guy who brought in $6,000 last year so we will probably reach our goal which is $10,000.”
Game On! and Go Girls! are two of the organizations school-based mentoring programs. Self-esteem, body image, healthy eating, active living and healthy relationships are some of the topics discussed, with games that go along with the content each week. Go Girls! is for girls in grades 7 and 8 and Game On! is for boys in those grades.
If anyone is interested in making a nomination for next year, call Niagara Regional Police or call Big Brothers, Big Sisters and they will pass you onto the appropriate person. jjocsak@postmedia.com twitter.com/JJ_Standard