Access to Independence Bowl-a-Thon Aims to Raise Funds to Support Its Youth Programming

Every Winter, Access to Independence invites the community to participate in its Annual Bowl-a-Thon. While the event aims to raise funds for Agency’s youth initiatives and programming, it has taken a slightly different turn. In past years, the event has barely raised enough to cover the cost of bowling two games and lunch for the 75+ participants. On the other hand, the event has become a staple for ATI’s consumers, friends and family members who enjoy a half-day of rocking music, inclusive recreation fun, pizza, and door prizes donated from more than 30 local businesses!

This year’s bowl-a-thon, set for Saturday, February 25, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm at Cort-Lanes, is set to be ATI’s biggest and best ever! In addition to perennial participants, this year’s fundraiser is set to feature a number of group and individual challenges. Those challenges will include various groups of youth, as well as an inaugural challenge of students and professors from Tompkins-Cortland Community College and SUNY Cortland!

John Suarez, ATI Board Member and Service Learning Coordinator for SUNY Cortland’s Institute for Civic Engagement, has graciously accepted a challenge from Dr. Dan Pukstas, ATI Board Member and TC3 Professor of English, to bowl blind-folded. Additionally, both have agreed to coordinate multiple teams of students from their prospective schools to compete. Unique bowling pin trophies will be awarded to the school that raises the most funds, and of course, to the school that wins the actual bowling challenge!

It’s not too late to get in on this year’s fun! Call Access to Independence today to sign-up to participate in the Bowl-a-Thon, or to make a pledge of support in any amount! ATI aims to host a record number of participants and sponsors this year and to make it the best Bowl-a-Thon ever! For more information, call 607-753-7363, or email info@aticortland.org.