Join UWWM in Supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Fla.

For the fourth consecutive year, Upchurch Watson White & Max is sponsoring the major fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida: Bowl for Kids' Sake. The 2016 effort is set for consecutive Saturdays, April 23 and 30, at Bowl America Southside, 11141 Beach Blvd. in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville-based shareholder and mediator Robert A. "Bob" Cole is a 12-year member of the organization's board of directors and has solidified the relationship between UWWM and the local Big Brothers Big Sisters. Nationally, BBBS has a longtime association with the legal community, having been founded in 1904 by a court clerk whose New York courtroom had seen a growing influx of boys. "He recognized that caring adults could help many of these kids stay out of trouble, and he set out to find volunteers. That marked the beginning of the Big Brothers movement." Simultaneously, the Ladies of Charity were befriending girls who also had come through the New York Children’s Court. The group they formed later became Catholic Big Sisters. The two groups consolidated in 1977.

"We have historically had a number of law firms who have participated with us, most notably for our Bowl for Kids' Sake," says Warren Grymes, chief executive officer of the Northeast Florida organization. "And we've also been involved with the D.W Perkins Bar Association."  The group has provided both funding and volunteers, and "they've been very generous."

Shortly after Bob joined UWWM in 2012, he spoke with the Financial News & Daily Record about his observations concerning Big Brothers Big Sisters. “Our biggest need is African-American males" for Big Brothers, he said. "We just don’t have enough volunteers to match up with the kids who want to be in the program.” He says the needs are much the same today.

Along with UWWM, he encourages continued support for the organization, beginning with Bowl for Kids' Sake. "Gather a team today or grab a sponsorship to help us reach our fundraising goal of $120,000 with this superhero-themed party filled with special guests, a DJ, give-aways, raffles, food and much more," organizers say. For more information, please visit http://www.bbbsnefl.org/zupload/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/BFKS-Flyer.pdf.