November 8, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jessica Abel
BVL Executive Director
(703) 934-6039
jessical@bvl.org

On the Web: bvl.org

FAIRFAX, Va. – November marks a month in America where we honor and celebrate our military veterans, especially on Veterans Day.

November is also BVL Bowling Month in America, an initiative that brings awareness to the work that BVL (Bowlers to Veterans Link) does to support veterans and active-duty military by funding recreational and therapy services throughout the United States.

BVL Bowling Month in America helps jump-start the annual BVL fundraising events for numerous bowling centers and associations. During BVL Bowling Month in America, BVL asks its partners to raise funds for veterans throughout the month of November. Bowling centers, associations and individuals can visit BVL’s website (bvl.org) where information, ideas and materials can be found to help run a successful fundraising event.

Last year, a record $1.6 million was raised, and the hope is to raise even more this year through even greater support from bowling centers, associations, groups and individuals across the United States.

“Bowlers and our community are a true representation of America,” said Nancy Schenk, BVL Board of Directors Chair. “I think that is why our support of our veterans is so strong. Every year we raise more money to support recreational therapy to veterans. We strive to make sure every dollar goes to worthy causes that truly change the lives of our veterans. Our board, and more importantly our veterans, thank you for your continued support and hope you will help us achieve another record year of giving.”

In conjunction with BVL Bowling Month, and through its partnership with Go Bowling and the Go Bowling Military Bowl, the BVL recently announced a donation of $100,000 to Patriot Point for the purpose of rewarding 100 deserving veterans who will attend a four-night, three-day therapeutic and recreational retreat tailored to the needs of each attending veterans group.

Patriot Point is the Military Bowl Foundation’s 294-acre waterfront facility that provides a safe, secure and tranquil outdoor recreational and therapeutic retreat for wounded, ill and injured active-duty service members, veterans, their families and caregivers who face daily struggles related to their time spent defending our great nation.

Ten of these 100 veterans will be nominated by the BVL bowling community through a national social media campaign deployed by Go Bowling to the broader bowling social media communities of the Bowling Proprietors Association of America, the United States Bowling Congress and the BVL. 

“BVL wants to thank the continued support of our partners,” Schenk said. “Partnerships with Go Bowling, BPAA and USBC makes it possible to grow our outreach to America’s veterans. Ten lucky veterans who also are certified bowlers will get a well-deserved once in a lifetime trip to Patriot Point to relax and continue to heal. Please nominate your favorite veteran today at gobowling.com or bvl.org for this amazing experience.”

The BVL board will meet this weekend (Nov. 9-10) in Washington D.C. and help celebrate Veteran’s Day at Arlington National Cemetery. At this meeting, BVL will welcome three new board members – David Small (representing BPAA), Chris Floyd (a U.S. Coast Guard veteran representing USBC) and Barbara Chrisman (Co-Founder/CEO of Storm Products, Inc. and PBA and USBC Hall of Famer).

About BVL

Bowlers To Veterans Link (BVL) is bowling’s own and oldest charity, raising more than $56 million since 1942 to fund recreation therapy programs that address the emotional and physical needs of veterans and active-duty military. BVL provides funds for dozens of diverse recreation therapy programs including outdoor sports, music, arts & crafts, bowling, adaptive equipment, virtual reality therapy, and so much more, at veterans’ hospitals, clinics and community-based counseling centers. BVL is a national nonprofit 501 (c) (3) charity that is consistently acknowledged for efficient and effective programming delivered with extremely low overhead. BVL has been recognized as one of “America’s Best Charities” by Independent Charities of America, earned a “Top-Rated” Nonprofit distinction from GreatNonprofits, and is also a member of the Combined Federal Campaign (#93325). For more information on BVL, visit BVL.org.

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