With that in mind, she immediately opted to utilize a workplace charity fundraiser.  You see, Merry is the revenue management supervisor at USF Holland, Inc a shipping company in Holland, Mich. where a number of years ago, an office-wide program to help raise money for charity was implemented.  Each week, the more than 150 employees give $2 into the fund, and in return, they can wear jeans to work every Friday.  “It’s a simple thing any company can do – you can spend way more than $2 on a cup of coffee, so throwing that amount in the kitty is painless,” explains Merry.

So Merry used that same workforce initiative to easily raise money for BVL.  “It doesn’t matter where the money comes from with BVL – it matters where it’s going to… And we know the need is great,” says Merry.

The top five local and state associations supporting BVL in total and on a per member basis were recognized for their outstanding contributions at the recently-concluded USBC Convention in Arlington, Tex.

BVL Board Chair Darlene Baker presented the following contribution awards based on a per member basis to the following states:

1.  Oregon                                         $1.09  

2.  Alaska                                           $1.06 

3.  California                                         99¢

4.  Virginia and Georgia (tie)             86¢

5.  South Dakota                                  70¢

The top five local association contributions to BVL National based on membership also received awards. 

1.  West Valley (OR) USBC             $15.05

2. Gold Country (CA) USBC              $9.12

3. Columbus (GA) USBC WBA          $8.28

4.  Fort Collins (CO) USBC                $6.60

5.  Oroville (CA) USBC                       $6.48

The following states were recognized as their total contributions to BVL topped the state donations list:

1.  California                                     $116,952.42

2.  Virginia                                           $45,901.64 

3.  Texas                                              $27,915.80

4.  Oregon                                           $25,127.31 

5.  Minnesota                                     $21,950.13

For the third year in a row Minneapolis USBC topped the list of most successful local associations.  The complete top five list is as follows:

1.  Minneapolis                                               $20,000.00

2.  Citrus Belt (CA) USBC                               $16,456.00

3.  Nation’s Capital Area (DC) USBC           $14,274.11

4.  Orange County (CA) USBC                       $10,000.00

5. West Valley (OR) USBC                               $8,503.47

State Award Winners. (Sitting) L to R - Judy Edwards (VA), Rosie Parker (CA), Sallie Faeganes (VA). (Standing) L to R - Darlene Baker (BVL), Robert Warrick (OR), Kay Smith (TX), Butch Kessler (MN), Tony Manna (BVL)

 

Local Award Winners. (Sitting) L to R - Jane Andrews (Nation's Capital Area), Gary Forman and Cheryl Huntington (Citrus Belt). (Standing) L to R - Darlene Baker (BVL), Steve Kiss (West Valley), Ken Koch and Butch Kessler (Minneapolis), Ed Mote (Orange County), Tony Manna (BVL)

Participating Brunswick bowling centers will host one “Bowl For Freedom” event a month. During these special evenings, bowlers can roll a game for just 50 cents with all bowling proceeds donated to BVL which provides recreational and therapeutic programs and services for active duty troops as well as hospitalized veterans.

“Last year, our friends at Brunswick contributed almost $30,000 to BVL through this wonderful program.  That funding went a long way to help achieve our mission of Brightening Veterans Lives,” commented BVL Board Chair Darlene Baker.  “This year, we’re hoping to top that – we’re encouraging all bowlers to find the “Bowl For Freedom” event in their area and get out and enjoy a great bowling value, all while supporting our nation’s veterans.”

Joanne Ramsey, president of the Monmouth County (NJ) United States Bowling Congress and a director on the New Jersey State USBC BA Board, says she’s a big fan of the “Bowl For Freedom” nights at her area Brunswick center.  “It’s a fantastic value – where can you get 50 cent games anymore?”  Ramsey notes that she signed up on the Brunswick site some time ago.  “Once I got on and selected the center near me, I received all kinds of offers and coupons, there’s always something for the whole family.” But Ramsey, a longtime advocate for BVL, made sure to take advantage of the “Bowl For Freedom” nights.  “I think the BVL mission is so important, and this is a great way to support a great cause!”

In Blaine, Minn., Brunswick Zone XL Blaine League Coordinator Anthony Diaz reports that one of its bowlers, Jim Schlink, is so enthusiastic about the program that he coordinated his own fundraiser connected with a “Bowl For Freedom” event.  Jim gathered $100 from family and friends, $50 from local Blaine retailers Flowerama and North Country Tire, and $200 from his bowling sponsor Twin City Gear. Through Jim’s efforts, he added $400 to Brunswick Zone’s “Bowl For Freedom” account, not including the 16 games of bowling that he bought during the event.

“When I heard about the “Bowl For Freedom” events, I knew I had to get involved!” explains Schlink. “I’ve always supported the troops, my parents taught me to respect them, shake their hand and say thank you.  If it wasn’t for them, you never know where this world would be.”  Schlink notes that he’s not done with his effort.  He’s planning to do further fundraising on the remaining “Bowl For Freedom” nights.  “I’m not looking at this as a one-time thing – I’m going to try to do it every time.”

Bowlers interested in attending a “Bowl For Freedom” event can learn more by visiting http://coupons.bowlbrunswick.com/freedomnights/. Also, make sure to sign up for all Brunswick offers by visiting www.bowlbrunswick.com/ and sign up for the Brunswick Bonus Zone.

Judy explains that area bowling center chain Bowl America has always supported the BVL during the NCAUSBC November fundraising drive, but she wanted to try something just at this one center –on a yearlong basis.

When she approached the center manager, Jackie Sewell with her idea – Judy says Jackie, and the staff, jumped in with two feet!  With Jackie’s help, Judy ran a 50/50 raffle for the entire season during leagues on Tuesday evenings, generating $1,770 for the BVL in its inaugural year.  Judy notes that Jackie really went above and beyond to make her fund raiser a success, noting that Jackie made repeated announcements encouraging all bowlers to support the 50/50.  Jackie made sure that BVL posters and a banner were predominantly featured in the center and flyers were available for bowlers to learn more about the charity.

“It’s really a team effort to get the BVL name and cause out there so that our bowlers understand the value and importance of BVL,” concludes Judy.  “By having Bowl America Gaithersburg on my team, BVL came out the winner!”

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