2008 Bowl-a-Thon

On Sunday, April 6th, (2008) Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County, NY sponsored a Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon at Sportsman’s Bowl in Schenectady to raise money to help build Habitat homes. Thirty three bowlers participated with celebrities Schenectady Mayor Brian Stratton, Fox 23 TV Bowling Show’s announcers, retired PBA pro Kenny Hall and Rich Becker, Fox’s Sports anchor, Adirondack Mountain Climber and Explorer Brian Merriam of Merriam Insurance in Schenectady, Rev. Dr. Bill Levering of First Reformed Church of Schenectady and Habitat’s own Executive Director Jeffrey Clark. A contest for a free slice of pizza and soda was won in the adult division (over 18 yrs.) by Union College’s bowling team member and student Adam Winslow with 5 strikes in a row; and in the Jr. division (under 18) by Jeff Karabin age 16, a student at Scotia Glenville High School with three strikes in a row. The event raised around $3500 total. Not bad for our first year out. It was a fun time for all who participated. Next year’s event will be bigger and better, with our goal of raising $5,000!

Many “thanks” to our corporate sponsors for their support. They include:
• The Daily Gazette Newspapers
• Grandview Concrete Corporation
• Granite and Marble Works, Inc.
• Simon’s Rock Realty, Inc.
• Shrader & Co., Inc.
• Delores Doriguzzi, Habitat Treasurer
• Pam Krisson, Exec. Director of Capital Region Builders & Remodelers Assoc.
• Towne Construction

A big “thanks” to all who participated, raised funds and bowled, and for the enthusiastic help from Paul Atkins, Proprietor and Manager of Sportsman’s Bowl for helping us arrange and make the event possible. Thanks also to Habitat board members who helped promote the event; Cindy Ferendzo and Wanda Fischer.

(From Left) Bowlers Habitat Board member Cathy Lewis, (ctr.) Executive Director Jeffrey Clark, and Brad Lewis.
The bowling “Brians”. (Left) Schenectady Mayor Brian U. Stratton, and Brian Merriam of Merriam Insurance, two of our celebrity bowlers.	Rich Becker, Fox News23 Sports Announcer, one of our celebrities, pauses before firing one down the lane. Thanks for being with us, Rich!
Bowlers Rich and Bonnie Hebert, Jeff Karabin, and celebrity bowler Rev. Dr. Bill Levering pose in front of their lane.	Members of the Union College’s Bowling Team hammered those pins. In attendance; Dave Kanaan, Mat Zawodniak, the bowling club’s President, Damarcus Hamm and Adam Winslow, who threw 5 strikes in a row! Thanks, men!