AURELIUS -- Until 2001, the local Big Brothers/Big Sisters chapter held a Bowl for Kids' Sake fundraiser each year, in which area residents would bowl a game for charity and receive pledges to benefit the organization.
But after the Auburn YMCA-WEIU took over the mentoring program and it became known as "Y Pals," the bowling fundraisers were discontinued.
On Sunday, the pins at Starlite Lanes were once again flying for a good cause, as the YMCA held its inaugural Bowl-A-Thon to raise money for its various youth programs.
The affair had nearly 40 teams bowl a game in which they had people pledge money for each pin they knocked down.
The afternoon also included prizes, an auction of items donated by local businesses, food and a live DJ. It was expected to raise about $15,000.
"And we've secured about $11,000 in sponsorships already, so that's great," Amy Pedley, the Auburn YMCA's child care director, said happily at Starlite Lanes Sunday morning.
"We were trying to think of a way to bring families together and have a fun event to raise money, so we thought we'd 'recreate' the bowling (benefit)," she said when asked about the original idea for the benefit.
Last fall, the YMCA formed a member committee that secured corporate sponsors for Sunday's affair, along with private businesses and individuals who sponsored a single lane.
Donating $3,000 for the Bowl-A-Thon was Syracuse-based company Immediate Mailing, Inc. Other corporate donors included Nucor Steel, Jacobs Press and Tompkins Trust Company.
"And Starlite Lanes donated the whole facility, rental of the shoes ... they've just been a great help," she said.
Starting at 10:30 a.m., bowlers arrived and soon the lanes were filled. Each lane was sponsored by private donors and businesses such as Robinson Concrete and Michaels and Smolak, each contributing at least $100, Pedley said.
Upon arriving, each competitor was given a free T-shirt commemorating the occasion. Children lined up to have their faces painted by volunteers.
Hungry bowlers munched on food donated by Wegmans and Quiznos Subs, while others participated in the auction of merchandise provided by local merchants.
Pedley said that the team receiving the most pledges was to receive a YMCA family membership valued at $732.
"This community has just been an unbelievable help," Pedley said.
On Sunday, the pins at Starlite Lanes were once again flying for a good cause, as the YMCA held its inaugural Bowl-A-Thon to raise money for its various youth programs.
The affair had nearly 40 teams bowl a game in which they had people pledge money for each pin they knocked down.
The afternoon also included prizes, an auction of items donated by local businesses, food and a live DJ. It was expected to raise about $15,000.
"And we've secured about $11,000 in sponsorships already, so that's great," Amy Pedley, the Auburn YMCA's child care director, said happily at Starlite Lanes Sunday morning.
"We were trying to think of a way to bring families together and have a fun event to raise money, so we thought we'd 'recreate' the bowling (benefit)," she said when asked about the original idea for the benefit.
Last fall, the YMCA formed a member committee that secured corporate sponsors for Sunday's affair, along with private businesses and individuals who sponsored a single lane.
Donating $3,000 for the Bowl-A-Thon was Syracuse-based company Immediate Mailing, Inc. Other corporate donors included Nucor Steel, Jacobs Press and Tompkins Trust Company.
"And Starlite Lanes donated the whole facility, rental of the shoes ... they've just been a great help," she said.
Starting at 10:30 a.m., bowlers arrived and soon the lanes were filled. Each lane was sponsored by private donors and businesses such as Robinson Concrete and Michaels and Smolak, each contributing at least $100, Pedley said.
Upon arriving, each competitor was given a free T-shirt commemorating the occasion. Children lined up to have their faces painted by volunteers.
Hungry bowlers munched on food donated by Wegmans and Quiznos Subs, while others participated in the auction of merchandise provided by local merchants.
Pedley said that the team receiving the most pledges was to receive a YMCA family membership valued at $732.
"This community has just been an unbelievable help," Pedley said.
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