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BVL Receives $10,000 Grant from Pepsi

In a surprise announcement at Bowl Expo, the bowling industry trade show recently held in Las Vegas, Nev., Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL) Board Member Walter Hall was called to the stage to accept a $10,000 Pepsi Refresh grant.

“The Pepsi brand has had a long and successful relationship with the sport of bowling,” explains Pepsi’s National Account Sales Manager for the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA) Daphne Hood. “The Pepsi Refresh Project provides grants to support ideas that move the world forward. It was a natural fit for us join with BPAA to provide this Pepsi Refresh grant to bowling’s own BVL, which does so much good for America’s active duty and veteran men and women.”

The grant will help support the myriad recreational and therapeutic programs and services undertaken by BVL at VA Hospitals and State Homes throughout the country as well as for active duty troops overseas. BVL dollars pick up where government funding leaves off, providing the “extras” that boost morale and speed recuperation – supporting participation in sporting events and the arts to music and entertainment.

“We are delighted that our friends at Pepsi have shown support for our cause,” commented Hall. “We have a big job ahead of us and we know this great contribution will help us make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country. We thank them so much for this wonderful surprise.”

Pepsi Refresh Project: In an effort to support those who generate innovative, optimistic ideas, the Pepsi Refresh Project will award more than $20 million in 2010 to move communities forward.  The Pepsi Refresh Project is an evolution of the Refresh Everything initiative Pepsi launched in 2009, which showed the brand as an optimistic catalyst for idea creation, leading to an ever-refreshing world. Pepsi will fund projects that make a difference in six categories: Health, Arts & Culture, Food & Shelter, The Planet, Neighborhoods and Education.

BVL Family Mourns the Passing of Helen Duval

The face of BVL for more than 30 years, former professional bowler and owner of numerous titles in bowling, Helen Duval passed away in her sleep on July 29. She was 94.

Thousands of veterans will remember Helen as the impetus for their love of or return to the sport of bowling. For decades, Helen traversed the country for BVL, giving bowling clinics to veterans hospitalized in VA Medical Centers. She soon became known for her refusal to take "no" for an answer - whatever challenges the recuperating veteran was facing, Helen took it as a personal mission to get everyone out on the lanes and learn to be successful in the game.

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Big Bear Glow Machine Supports BVL

The owners of the Big Bear Glow Machine, a popular and trend-setting vending machine system, have provided a unique offer to the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL): For every machine sold to the bowling industry from August 2009 into the future, Big Bear will donate $50.00 to the BVL.

The company behind Big Bear Web Glow Machine, which won “Best New Product” at a recent game convention, indicates their support for America’s active duty service members and veterans. “This is a cause we believe in,” comments Aaron Pelto, Managing Broker, Big Bear Glow Machine. “We are deeply committed to the bowling industry and we are deeply committed to those who have fought and sacrificed for our freedoms. Providing for the bowling industry’s own charity just seems like the right thing to do.”

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