Tampa Bay Rays Pitcher Chris Archer Joins the Big Brothers Big Sisters Team to Help Kids

March 16, 2015 Tampa Bay-Before Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer hits the mound for the upcoming season, he's joining the Big Brothers Big Sisters team to help kids. Archer believes in the power of mentoring, that's why he's helping the non-profit raise money-and awareness-during its annual fundraiser, Bowl For Kids' Sake.

Big Brothers Big Sisters pairs caring adult mentors with children who may be facing adversity. They may have an incarcerated parent, live in a single-parent household, or perhaps they're being raised by a grandparent. It costs $1,250 to pair a child (called 'Little') with a volunteer (called 'Big') for one year, which pays for the background screening, volunteer training, on-going support and supervision of each Big/Little match. Archer, who was selected to start the Rays second game of the season on April 7 against the Baltimore Orioles, is encouraging his fans to donate during the Bowl For Kids' Sake campaign. Top fundraisers who raise at least $1,250 will have a chance to be invited to a VIP Bowling party, hosted by Archer.

"Everyone needs a mentor in life and everyone needs to be a mentor to someone," said Chris Archer. "Big Brothers Big Sisters allows people to serve their higher purpose and helps guide children toward their potential. I can speak directly to this because I have been lucky enough to be guided by my mentor for the past 11 years."

The deadline to be eligible for the Chris Archer VIP Bowling Party is March 27, 2015. Tax-deductible donations can be made on Chris Archer's fundraising page: bbbstampabay.org/Rays VIP. (Top fundraisers will receive detailed information about Chris Archer's invitation-only party scheduled Friday, April 3, 2015.)

Follow Chris Archer on Twitter @ChrisArcher42 for more information.