Bowling provides some relief and recreation to Hurricane Ike victims
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| Young bowlers were among the many people who enjoyed using the mobile bowling equipment during their stay at the Dallas Convention Center. | The Bowling Foundation, a national charity which serves as the central charitable arm of the sport of bowling and its industry partners, recently helped support the thousands of evacuated families from the Texas coast during Hurricane Ike.
The Dallas Convention Center became home for many of these victims who fled the devastating hurricane as it neared their homes and communities. Children and adults were sheltered at the convention center and provided a place to sleep. The Red Cross managed the emergency operations.
With hours and days and for many even weeks of waiting to hear news of their homes and communities, if they had anything left when they returned, or for the word that they could return, time was plentiful. The Bowling Foundation stepped in to help ease the tension, anxiety and the long waiting period for many.
Randy Little, a Bowling Foundation volunteer and United States Bowling Congress employee, took "mobile" bowling equipment to the Dallas Convention Center. It was an instant success drawing huge crowds each day and well into the late night! The mobile equipment included full length bowling lanes made of carpet with proper markings, arrows and all, bowling balls and pins.
Two lanes were set up in the parking garage of the convention center that was divided into sleeping areas and common areas.
"The idea of providing even in a small way, some help to these victims of such a devastating disaster, and using bowling as a way to do it, is exactly what the Bowling Foundation wants to do to support those in need," said Troy Greisen, Executive Director of The Bowling Foundation.
Greisen added that the foundation hopes to do more of this type of effort in the future when crisis or disasters hit communities across the country.
"I had the opportunity to visit and observe the bowling lanes being used," he said. "There was so little to do for these people and families who couldn't do much more than sit and wait, sort of ride the storm out. It was nice to see some fun and some smiles, especially on the faces of the children!"
The Bowling Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in partnership with the Bowling Proprietors Association of America and United States Bowling Congress created to serve as the central charitable arm of the sport of bowling, the industry, and its partners. Program partners include the Susan G. Komen For the Cure research foundation, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Bowl for Veterans Link and Special Olympics.
Important initiatives are supported through the foundation including youth bowling education, training and scholarships, the International Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum and others. For more information, go to http://bowlingfoundation.org/ or write to info@bowlingfoundation.org. |
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