Mentor Me Raises More Than $17K at Recent Event

Mentor Me North Georgia announced this week that its "Bowl for Kids" event on March 3 raised more than $17,000 for its one-on-one mentoring program.

One hundred bowlers and corporate sponsors took part in the fundraising event at the  in Cumming.

"Everyone had so much fun, it was great to have so many bowlers this year," said Sylvia Cardona, executive director of Mentor Me North Georgia. "Every $1,000 we raise helps us match another child with a caring mentor. We hope everyone who joined us this year will tell their friends and family how important and easy it is."

The non-profit organization matches volunteer adults with children between the ages of six- and 17-years-old who need and want a mentor. Men are matched with boys and women are matched with girls. They share everyday activities such as sports and cooking, an outing to the zoo, movies or music event.

Mentor Me's 2012 Chair Virgilio Perez-Pascoe said the organization does excellent work with kids by helping them become successful adults and productive members of the community.

"My mentee was 8-years old when he and I were matched," Perez-Pascoe said.  "He was shy and having difficulty in school. He is now 11 and doing well in middle school. I have participated in activities with him and his family, and it has been gratifying watching him develop. I'm just thankful for the opportunity to help a child."

First time mentor Sandra Alcala was recently matched with 8-year-old Aury. It's something she's always wanted to do.

"Helping a child is one of the most important and rewarding things an adult can accomplish," she said.

A survey of children involved in the Forsyth County program showed that 81 percent experienced increased self-confidence and self-esteem. And 92 percent maintained or demonstrated improvement in academic performance and behavior.

"We encourage adults who love children to join us and volunteer with Mentor Me, said Perez-Pascoe. "It takes some time, but the return on the investment in the life of a child is timeless."

Mentor Me, a Forsyth County United Way agency, depends on private donations for 50 percent of its funding. Visit the Web site for information on volunteering opportunities or to make a donation.