Fund-Raiser Planned for Youth Program

Spaceplay will hold a fund-raiser for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Ventura County on Saturday and Sunday at the game center in Ventura.

A $4.95 special includes admission and unlimited pizza and soda. One dollar of each special admission will go directly to the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program.

“We like to give something back to the community as far as children go,” said owner Lucia Deanda-Cogdill. “We feel there is a need, and we’re there to support them.”

Spaceplay will give the program a check March 19, when it hosts a free evening of games and pizza for the more than 100 children who are waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister.

Proceeds from this weekend’s fund-raiser will assist with the recruitment, screening and training of more volunteers.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters, a division of Interface Children, Family Services, is a preventive program that provides children from single-parent families with adult role models and mentors.

“We try to assist children before they get into problems with drugs, alcohol, gangs or teen pregnancy,” said program director Lynne West. “We try to help raise the children’s self-esteem and also give them a broader view of the world. We do not supplant the role of the parent, but try to enrich the lives of these children.”

Spaceplay is at 2855 Johnson Drive and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For more information about how to get involved as a mentor, call 485-6114.