Halloween is just around the corner, but Sunday the aim was to collect cash instead of candy.

Academy Lanes hosted this year’s “Boolathon” in support of Kids Help Phone.

Bowlers wore costumes for the Halloween-themed event. The goal was to raise $25,000 locally and $1.2 million across the country for the counseling service.

Kids Help Phone helps children with a wide range of issues including family concerns, drug and alcohol abuse and suicide.

“Kids are dealing with so much these days, and they really need an outlet,” said Cindy Kobayashi, the regional director of Kids Help Phone. “They need somebody to talk to, and they need professionals who understand the issues that they’re experiencing.”

The phone service keeps counselors on call 24 hours a day for young people in communities across Canada.