Kiwanis Club of Highwoods Fundraising Idea: Bowling Night

Article submitted by: Bill Shelton, Highwoods Kiwanis Club member and Lt. Governor, Division 12, Carolinas District of Kiwanis International It was hot outside, cool inside, but the bowling lanes were scorching as the Raleigh, NC, Highwoods Kiwanis Club conducted its third annual bowling tournament at Pleasant Valley Lanes in Raleigh. The competition was held on Saturday June 13, 2015.The tournament is a fund-raiser held annually by the club to raise funds for the over 1,000 dictionaries it gives out to Wake County third graders each year. This year featured 64 bowlers of all ages and the club raised over $4,000 in funds from entry fees and generous sponsors. The Highwoods Kiwanis Club is a member of Division 12 of the Carolinas District of Kiwanis International. Division 12 includes 10 Kiwanis clubs which last year gave out over 8,000 total dictionaries to Wake County third graders. Each bowler received discount coupons and the winning bowlers in each division received grocery and restaurant gift cards, free car washes, free oil changes and many other prizes for their efforts. Both youth and adult divisions had furious competition. The President of the Raleigh Highwoods Kiwanis Club, Blake Phillips, was an eager participant and was instrumental in this year’s efforts to organize the event. Dr. Jim Post was the overall chairman of the bowling tournament committee which exceeded prior year’s efforts both in fund raising and community participation. However, the tournament would not be a success without the efforts of the 23 members of the Highwoods club. Participation is mandatory for club members and every club member helped in some manner. All of the participants enjoyed themselves and there were drawings held every hour for prizes. Plans are to expand the bowling tournament which has proven to be of more benefit to the club and community than its miniature golf fund raisers which preceded the bowling tournaments.