3-Location Event Raised Awareness and Support for Children with Special Needs at St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children
Bowlers from the New York area gathered friends, family and their bowling buddies for “Strike It Up for St. Mary’s Kids,” a tri-county bowling event hosted by Maple Family Centers held on Sunday, May 16th in support of children with special needs.
For only $20 bowlers enjoyed unlimited bowling from 2pm- 5pm, including shoes, and a fun-filled day with the entire family complete with raffles and prizes, all to help raise funds and awareness for St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, a national leader in intensive rehabilitation, specialized medical care, and education for children with special needs.
Bowlers came out in numbers and were spread across the Queens and Long Island region as simultaneous events took place at JIB Lanes in Flushing and Farmingdale Lanes and Coram Country Lanes on Long Island.
In 2009, Maple Family Centers began a program to provide recreational activity for St. Mary’s children, most of who had never bowled. The tremendously successful program includes frequent outings to JIB Lanes, where St. Mary’s Kids are treated as VIPs, as well as Maple Family Centers’ mobile bowling unit that brings the bowling fun directly to patients at the hosptial. In addition, JIB Lanes hosts weekly “bowling bashes,” at which JIB bowlers raised $30,000 for St. Mary’s last year – and have high hopes to exceed that figure in the upcoming months.
John LaSpina, owner of Maple Family Centers is always inventing new ways to raise awareness about the importance of the special care St. Mary’s provides to children battling complex medical and life-limiting conditions. John is a long-time supporter of St. Mary’s and a previous member of St. Mary’s Board of Directors from 1996-2005. “I have been associated with St Mary’s Hospital for Children for 15 years now. When Maples Family Centers acquired JIB Lanes in September 2008, I knew that we would be a strong force in raising funds for them on a continual basis,” said John.
Strike It Up for St. Mary’s Kids was such a success because bowlers who share John’s admiration and passion for St. Mary’s Kids made it thier mission to support the event.
On behalf of St. Mary’s staff, patients and families, we extend a special thank you to the entire team at Maple Family Centers for your deep commitment to support St. Mary’s Kids. You are truly our hero.
You can still Strike it Up for St. Mary’s Kids by making a donation online
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