Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 27, 1992 TAG: 9203270310
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MELANIE S. HATTER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The New River Valley Association of Mental Retardation is having its league finals that morning. Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the New River Valley is holding its fund-raiser, "Bowl For Kids' Sake" that afternoon. And about eight bowlers will spend all night bowling to help the kids.
Terry Stike, manager of the bowling alley, organized a 24-hour bowlathon, to start at noon Saturday, to raise money for Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
"We were trying to come up with something to help [the organization], something a little different, " Stike said.
He and seven other bowlers were getting sponsors and so far have raised between $2,000 and $3,000, he said.
Stike has participated in marathon bowls lasting eight to 10 hours, but never this long, he said. He's most interested in seeing "how many can actually use their ball" after 24 hours, he said.
Other participants are: Triangle workers Joey Bryant and Robbie Dalton, also a student at New River Community College; Matt McCoy, an NRCC student; Christiansburg police officer Roy Holt; Radford Army Ammunition Plant workers Debbie Brown and Danny Crawford, and his wife, Ann, who works at Virginia Tech.
The one thing about bowling is that everyone, regardless of sex, weight or disability, can participate at the same time, Stike added.
This year's goal for "Bowl for Kids' Sake" is $27,500, said Director Susan Gibas. Gibas wants to fill the 32 lanes with participants and is still accepting applications, she said. Volunteers will work 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.
The United Way agency, which matches adult volunteers with children from single-family homes, spends about six months a year preparing for this fund-raiser, which brings in the bulk of its annual budget of about $55,000.
The fund-raiser attracts hundreds of bowlers, many of whom return year after year. Each bowler or team recruits sponsors to pledge money on pins scored. Pledges later are collected and turned in to the local chapter. This year's honorary chairman is Greg Roberts, sports announcer at Channel 10.
The Association of Mental Retardation, also a United Way agency, will present ribbons and trophies to winners Saturday at the end of its eight-week bowling league season. Participants will bowl from 10 a.m. to noon, when winners will be announced.
This is the third Unified Bowling League, which is designed to provide socialization for the mentally retarded by matching them in teams with other people from the community, Director Jane Wills said.
The program started last spring with 10 mentally retarded participants. This year there are 39.
"It gives me a chance to do something I love to do and meet new people," said Lisa Schwartz of Blacksburg, one of the participants. "I enjoy getting out of the house." Because the association provides transportation Schwartz is able to go, she said.
It's a "tremendous learning experience" for everyone, said Ken Bovard of Blacksburg, who bowls with his daughter, Kathleen. She has mild cerebral palsy but is able to pitch the bowling ball with both hands, Bovard said. He has noticed his 40-year-old daughter is more confident in her bowling since joining the program, he said.
"The bowling involvement is healthy for the physical, mental and social development of Kathy and the rest of the family and the community," Bovard said.
Anyone interested in participating in the association's summer league, beginning May 16, should contact Wills at 381-0310.
by CNB