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OPERATION: SUCCESS
No matter what time you walked into the center, you were greeted with a full house of adults and children alike laughing and celebrating life through bowling. Morning, afternoon and night our 36-lane center was packed. Many of them are league bowlers, coming every week all winter long. Others were celebrating the birthday of a loved one under the black lights and music of our weekly afternoon parties. Still more were simply here because they were looking for something to do with their friends on a Saturday night.
All for one, unified cause: Cancer.
The “V” Foundation for Cancer Research launched a nationwide campaign to Strike Against Cancer that culminated in several bowling centers agreeing to donate one dollar for every lane rented on Saturday, December 8th. The V Foundation was founded by ESPN and Jim Valvano, the passionate and committed former NC State basketball coach and award-winning broadcaster, as he battled cancer. Wanting to see the battle through to victory, Valvano recruited friends and family to lead The V Foundation in his quest to eradicate the disease that ultimately claimed his life. With a dire need for early developmental, critical-stage grant support, the Foundation was formed to assist the brilliant young researchers that will eventually find cures for cancer. The V Foundation has raised more than $60 million and awarded cancer research grants in 37 states and the District of Columbia. Researchers have developed their laboratories and taken their science from the labs to the clinics with the help of funds raised by The V Foundation.
We are happy to report that our community responded with great numbers. Birthday parties filled the lanes all afternoon, a waiting list spotted the evening, and a full shift capped on the day for our weekly Thunder Alley. The support was outstanding. Our neighbors rallied around a great cause, and for that, the Colerain Bowl staff are grateful.