Milwaukee bowlers raise $73,500 for fight against breast cancer
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.