By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

A friendly competition between the Fort Hays State Criminal Justice Club and the First Responders of Ellis County ended when the results were announced Wednesday at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County.

Jenny Bates, BBBS program director, handed the Fundrasing Challenge’award to the FHSU Criminal Justice Club, who raised nearly $2,000 at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraiser May 5.

The Ellis County First Responders Team won the bowling challenge with the highest bowling scores in the competition.

First Responders team captain and Ellis County Sheriff’s Detective Scott Braun said the fundraiser is always a “fun event,” and not about the competition.

“We just feel it is a good cause,” he said, “because there are a lot of kids out there who need guidance and good peers to lead them. It is a way we can give back to the community.”

Tamara Lynn, FHSU Instructor of Justice Studies and faculty sponsor of the Criminal Justice Club, said she knows the benefits of the BBBS program first-hand. She said following a divorce, she signed her own kids up for the BBBS program.

“I know my children benefited from the program, and I like to continue and give back,” Lynn said.

Bates said the 46 teams who participated in this year’s Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraising event raised a total of  $3o,000.

Bates said having community support is important.

“Without the financial support of the community, we would not be able to support the kids and provide them with positive mentors in their lives,” she said.