In the early years of television there used to be a program called “Bowling for Dollars” that was very popular with the viewing audience.

Saturday morning there was another form of bowling for dollars taking place, but this time is was the 11th Annual Bowling for Kids’ Sake fundraiser for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Island County.

And what an event it was.

Eighteen teams entered the friendly competition and, as always, the historic Oak Bowl on Midway Boulevard donated its facility as the venue for the occasion.

Teams from all over Whidbey Island joined in on the fun, some of which were “veterans” from previous years while others were first-timers.

One of the first-year teams was the VQ-1 World Watchers, composed of spouses of Navy personnel stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

Squadron Commander Michael Giannetti headed up the team’s effort.

“All of the members on the team are married to some of our VQ-1 officers, and we are having a fun time while raising money for a good cause,” he said. “We do a lot of charity work at the base.”

Another first-year team was named the Oak Harbor Band Squad, and all members play in the high school band.

A couple of the team members, Arthur Sharkey and T.J. Fender, were running up the score and hammering pins into the pit with regularity.

“We bowl in the youth league and we are down here at Oak Bowl most every Friday night,” Sharkey said.

The 17-year-old Fender said he is one of the quad players with the band and is also a section leader, and Sharkey said he plays trombone most of the time and drums on occasions.

Master of ceremonies Chuck Niedzialkowski kept things rolling, announcing periodic raffles and prize winners.

“I was one of the original Big Brothers/Big Sisters board members and I have been the emcee for 10 of the last 11 years,” he said.

Prize donors this year included Bay City Bistro, Harbor Plumbing, Krieg Concrete, Midway Florist, Papa John’s Pizza and McDonald’s Restaurant, among many others.

One of the veteran teams was sponsored by Land Title Company, known as the Land Title Pinheads, and this is the third year the team has bowled for the kids.

In the first hour, more that $3,000 had been collected and the team with the largest pledge was the Oak Harbor Middle School squad with $795. Duane Sisto checked in with the largest individual pledge of $595.

A good time was had by all at the annual event and most importantly, a lot of money was raised for a worthy cause.