GREENDALE, Wis. - Nearly 800 Milwaukee-area bowlers participated in the eighth annual
Bowl for the Cure
event Feb. 1 to raise $73,500 in a single day -- an event record. The
United States Bowling Congress organized the event, with proceeds
benefiting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Milwaukee.
The national
Susan G. Komen for the Cure will receive 25 percent of funds raised while the remaining 75 percent will be donated to the Milwaukee Komen affiliate.
Bowlers
and spectators at Milwaukee's AMF Bowlero Lanes gathered pledges and
participated in silent auctions and raffles while rolling a friendly
two-game tournament. Area companies Harley Davidson and M&I Bank -
longtime Bowl for the Cure supporters - used the event as a productive
way to build coworker camaraderie, while the Milwaukee Bucks served as
generous a corporate partner.
Breast cancer survivors were
recognized during opening ceremonies. Participants rolled a traditional
first game while disco balls and spotlights were revved up for the
second, played as 9-pin, no tap -- an alternate format where nine pins
felled on the first ball of a frame counts as a strike.
Each
bowler received a gift bag filled with coupons and giveaways from local
businesses and event sponsors, including a Milwaukee Bucks ticket
voucher for games on Feb. 13 and March 1. The public also can receive
discounted tickets for those games -- with $5 per ticket sold donated
to Bowl for the Cure -- by contacting Tricia Rasberry at (414) 227-0835
or
trasberry@bucks.com.
USBC leagues across the nation organize Bowl for the Cureevents
in February, often designating one bowling session to donate a specific
amount, such as one nickel per pin. Last year, USBC members nationwide
raised more than $1 million for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, bringing
the seven-year total to more than $6 million. This year, USBC bowlers
are challenged to raise more than $1 million. Donations are collected
by USBC and will be presented to Susan G. Komen for the Cure during the
USBC Convention in Kansas City, Mo., May 6-10.
Visit the
Bowl for the Cure homepage to donate online or to find or organize an event in your area.