ST. LOUIS -- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri has lined up a major new sponsor for its Bowl for Kids' Sake program, one of the agency's largest annual fund-raisers.

Spartech Corp., a Clayton, Mo.-based producer of engineered plastics with two plants in Cape Girardeau, has agreed to a $25,000 sponsorship of the event. The deal marks Spartech's first gift to Big Brothers Big Sisters.

The gift will fund 25 new mentoring relationships for children in eastern Missouri. Each new mentoring match between a child and a big sister or brother costs about $1,000 and includes recruiting, screening, training and support.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has been one of the most effective youth-service groups in the United States for more than 100 years. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri operates in Cape Girardeau, Scott City and the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Spartech president and CEO George A. Abd said, "We are pleased to be able to support the 2006 to 2007 Bowl For Kids' Sake season and to support the mentoring relationships for children in the Cape Girardeau and St. Louis areas."

Bowl for Kids' Sake events take place at 16 bowling venues in the Cape Girardeau and St. Louis area. Participants form teams and gather pledges of donations to Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

In addition to the $25,000 donation, Spartech has committed to organizing 10 teams to compete in a Cape Girardeau-area Bowl for Kids' Sake Events. These teams are projected to generate $6,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133