Florida Supports BVL

Charles Mario, Port Richey, Fla.

In 2007, Charles made a decision to really put some muscle behind the BVL campaign this year in Port Richey, Fla. and his efforts really paid off!

Charles didn’t leave any stone unturned as he planned for a doubles tournament scheduled for Veterans Day week.

He began by contacting the BVL office for a free-fundraising kit, and used the materials in the kit to help plan and promote the event.

Next, Charles worked on the tournament format and set the entry fee at $25.00 a person – broken down into $5.00 for linage, $10.00 for the prize fund, and $10.00 for the BVL. Then he developed a flyer to promote the tournament.

Charles solicited support from the area Budweiser distributor, which provided him hats and shirts for raffle items.

But he didn’t stop there… Next, he developed small cards with an American flag design. He asked for $1.00 donations to ‘buy’ a card, and then he posted the cards with the contributor’s name on it in the center.

Wait… there’s more… Charles contacted a local country music radio station which provided him with patriotic silicone wrist bands. He asked for contributions of $2.00 for the wrist bands.

(Left to right) Pete Graffagnino and Charles Mario brought BVL to the attention of bowlers in Port Richey.

With help from fellow BVL volunteer Pete Graffagnino, the tournament was a great success.

In just one day at the tournament, Charles brought in $845.00!! The tournament fund raised $383.00, the wristbands generated $200.00, and the flag card donations brought in $262.00.

Thanks, Charles, for your commitment to our BVL mission: Never forget the sacrifices of those who have served our country.

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Daytona Beach Women Coordinate Tournament
To Purchase Carpet Lanes for Troops

When Daytona Beach USBC WBA President Terrie Brensinger saw BVL’s new carpet lane bowling kit campaign “Bowlers Salute America’s Troops” in Tulsa at the WIBC meeting and then again at Bowl Expo, she knew that she wanted to be involved in the effort to send some fun to our hard-working troops overseas.

She talked with the other members of the Daytona Women’s Bowling Association about coordinating a tournament to help raise money to purchase a carpet lane to send to the troops. The association enthusiastically agreed.

The Association put up posters about the tournament at every bowling center, sent flyers to local leagues and garnered free public service announcements at three area radio stations. Over 40 door prizes and raffle items were solicited from area businesses; and host center Ormand Lanes donated rosin bags. Entry fees for the nine pin, no-tap tournament were collected from more than 150 bowlers, including members of all branches of the military — retired and active duty, as well as ROTC.

But, before the first ball was rolled, the owner of Daytona Bowl and Ormond Pro Shop and CEO of BowlingBall.com Keith Spear donated $500, in honor of his cousin Brian who is serving in Iraq. And, after a special presentation to the wife of a local bowler now serving in Basra, a live auction was held, netting $250. The highest bidder? Keith Spear.

In addition, the Daytona Beach News Journal covered the event and Channel 13, the local news television station sent a crew to the tournament, and ran the segment several times throughout the next day.

The tournament raised over $3,300, exceeding all expectations. Now, Terrie says the whole concept was so successful; they’re considering continuing fund raising through the fall so that they can continue to send more carpet lanes to the troops.

Congratulations to the Daytona Beach USBC WBA!

Front Row (L-R) Rachel Moore – Junior Associate member; Stephanie Brown – Junior Associate member; Cindy Moore – Sgt. At Arms; Helen Newton – Vice President; Liz Cocks – Director (advisor); Sherry Chiress – Director; Kimberly Brown – Director.
Back Row (L-R) Debbie Lather – Director; Kimberly Knox – Director; Linda Angley – director; Terrie Brensinger – President; Kathy Thomas – Association Manager; Charlena Durrance- Director and Tournament Director; Lydia Pate – Director, Cheryl Brooks – Associate member.
Not pictured: Deloris Smith – Director; Nancy Spencer - Director

A Daytona Beach soldier bowling

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