Bowling fundraiser set for Dec. 23
Published 9:07 pm Monday, December 13, 2010
Last year the Niles Youth Bowling Association was the recipient of $1,500 in scholarships. A fundraiser for those scholarships will be held at Joey Armadillo’s on Dec. 23. Pictured last year in front from left are Brett Godsey, proprietor of Joey Armadillo’s; youth bowlers Stingray James and Kelsey Medlin (holding the check); Donna Medlin, Youth Bowling Association president/president of Thursday Ladies Night Out; and Dave Lembke, City "B" League secretary/treasurer. In back are Jamie Stover, "B" League vice president; Mark Young, "B" League President, Tom Reames, Youth Association coach; Jill Ayres, secretary of Ladies Night Out; Bill Reeves, Jr., president of Niles Four Flags Bowling Association (U.S.B.C.). (Daily Star photo/File)
Again, thanks to the dedication of local volunteers, The Niles City “B” League, Thursday Ladies Night Out League, Joey Armadillo’s Bowling Center, and numerous sponsors will host a huge raffle to benefit the Niles Youth Bowling Association Scholarship Fund, Thursday evening, Dec. 23, at Joey Armadillo’s bowling center.
The two adult bowling leagues, combined, have spearheaded this annual event for the past three years, amassing nearly $900 for the purpose of awarding youth, ages ranging from 5-19. These individual youth, who participate in the Saturday Youth League at Joey Armadillo’s, are presented with partial scholarships for post-graduate education.
Each annual winner is given a financial stipend. The first recipient of the Cindy Cross Memorial Scholarship Fund Award was Jennifer Searles, a 2007 Brandywine graduate.
Qualifications for the top award include being a senior in a local high school. Cross was a long-time bowler in the Niles (Adult) Association.
In 2008, no seniors participated; therefore the award remained in escrow.
The two scholarship winners last spring were Shane Zelasco and Andrew Cox; each bowler was awarded a $200 scholarship. The contributions were placed into a SMART account through the United States Bowling Congress. From there the money is distributed to the college/university by the USBC, when they recipients begin schooling.
Additional monies are awarded to younger bowlers, to be placed in savings for future education.
Last spring, 10 bowlers received monetary awards in this realm. The total scholarship contributions for each year’s awardees has been $1,500.
This year’s fundraiser will include prizes and donations from O.K. Distributing, Shelton’s Market, Budweiser, Nate Wines and Joey Armadillo’s, among others. The drawings will begin at 7:30 p.m., on Dec. 23, at the bowling alley.
Prizes will include five turkeys, five hams, hats, t-shirts, mirrors, mugs, gift cards from many businesses and additional prizes that will be raffled.
City “B” League Secretary Dave Lembke, Donna Medelin (Niles Youth League President) and Mark Young (B League President) are advocates for this generous event. Their message is, “let’s all pull together and make this the biggest and best (effort) ever. It goes for deserving scholarships for Niles Association youth.”
In the raffle, participants need not be bowling league members. The general public may bid on the prizes through the raffle. An individual may come to donate for the evening, or he/she may enlist the sponsorship/donations through Dave Lembke (470-1714), Mark Young (240-7461), Joey’s (687-5555).
