Bowling community raises more than $110,000 to aid hurricane victims
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - An initial donation of more than $110,000 collected by the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America Foundation on behalf of the entire bowling community is scheduled to be presented to the American Red Cross Louisiana Capital Area Chapter on Oct. 21 from 1-2 p.m. at Circle Bowl in Baton Rouge, La., according to the BPAA.
BPAA and the United States Bowling Congress joined forces to encourage bowling centers and bowlers alike to donate to the American Red Cross for the hurricane relief efforts.
As of this release date, the BPAA Foundation collected $110,362.93 for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita relief. This is just a small indication of how the entire bowling community has pulled together to raise money to help the victims of both devastating hurricanes. Many other members of the bowling community raised money for local charities and volunteered for the relief effort.
"This has been a tremendous effort by everyone," noted BPAA President Jeff Bojé. "I'm proud that bowling has come together as a community to raise charitable funds for this important cause."
The funds were raised as part of "Operation Relief Lanes" and similar bowling center fundraisers; donations from bowling leagues; money from bowling center and bowling industry employees, such as USBC and QubicaAMF Worldwide employees; matching gifts from companies and bowling centers, like QubicaAMF, BPAA, and Bowling Management Associates; or bowling centers and bowling center proprietors.
"The bowlers of America always have been most generous in helping others in their time of need," said USBC Chief Executive Officer Roger Dalkin. "USBC is proud to have played a role in aiding those affected by these natural disasters."
Presenting the donation check to Vic Howell, CEO of the Red Cross' Louisiana Capital Area Chapter will be Joe Schumacker, BPAA vice president; David Cotter, BPAA Foundation director of development; and Ricky Bourgeois, Circle Bowl and Malco Theatres. Others scheduled to be in attendance include the Honorable Melvin (Kip) Holden, Mayor-President of Baton Rouge; Jerry Stovall, Baton Rouge Sports Foundation; and representatives from AMF Bowling Centers, QubicaAMF Worldwide and USBC.
"The BPAA Foundation is honored to play the role of coordinator for this significant project and looks forward to harnessing the generosity of America's 70 million bowlers to help our youth and to accomplish our mission," added Jim Sturm, BPAA Foundation chairman.
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, provides relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
The BPAA Foundation is a 501(c)3, tax-deductible non-profit, whose mission is to promote the lifelong enjoyment of the sport of bowling by fostering youth and community programs and health and fitness initiatives, and by providing research, training, and education to the bowling community.
BPAA and the United States Bowling Congress joined forces to encourage bowling centers and bowlers alike to donate to the American Red Cross for the hurricane relief efforts.
As of this release date, the BPAA Foundation collected $110,362.93 for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita relief. This is just a small indication of how the entire bowling community has pulled together to raise money to help the victims of both devastating hurricanes. Many other members of the bowling community raised money for local charities and volunteered for the relief effort.
"This has been a tremendous effort by everyone," noted BPAA President Jeff Bojé. "I'm proud that bowling has come together as a community to raise charitable funds for this important cause."
The funds were raised as part of "Operation Relief Lanes" and similar bowling center fundraisers; donations from bowling leagues; money from bowling center and bowling industry employees, such as USBC and QubicaAMF Worldwide employees; matching gifts from companies and bowling centers, like QubicaAMF, BPAA, and Bowling Management Associates; or bowling centers and bowling center proprietors.
"The bowlers of America always have been most generous in helping others in their time of need," said USBC Chief Executive Officer Roger Dalkin. "USBC is proud to have played a role in aiding those affected by these natural disasters."
Presenting the donation check to Vic Howell, CEO of the Red Cross' Louisiana Capital Area Chapter will be Joe Schumacker, BPAA vice president; David Cotter, BPAA Foundation director of development; and Ricky Bourgeois, Circle Bowl and Malco Theatres. Others scheduled to be in attendance include the Honorable Melvin (Kip) Holden, Mayor-President of Baton Rouge; Jerry Stovall, Baton Rouge Sports Foundation; and representatives from AMF Bowling Centers, QubicaAMF Worldwide and USBC.
"The BPAA Foundation is honored to play the role of coordinator for this significant project and looks forward to harnessing the generosity of America's 70 million bowlers to help our youth and to accomplish our mission," added Jim Sturm, BPAA Foundation chairman.
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, provides relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
The BPAA Foundation is a 501(c)3, tax-deductible non-profit, whose mission is to promote the lifelong enjoyment of the sport of bowling by fostering youth and community programs and health and fitness initiatives, and by providing research, training, and education to the bowling community.