YORKTON – Bowlarama for Snowarama was held at the Yorkton Bowl Arena Feb. 23.
Organizers for the event told Yorkton This Week that the event had 14 teams and 55 bowlers with an afterparty at Joe Beeverz where 90 people were expected to attend.
"This is the second annual Bowlarama For Snowarama and the funds raised will be added to the grand total of Snowarama which is next weekend on March 2," said Deana Strocen, Community Relations Coordinator with SaskAbilities.
Bowlers were asked to raise a minimum of $100.00 in pledges to participate for which they received a Snowarama t-shirt, a water bottle, a swag bag and a ticket to the after party.
Strocen said that all the funds raised from Bowlarama and Snowarama will go towards Camp Easter Seal, Summer Fun and Adaptive Technology Service at SaskAbilities.
"Those programs are for individuals experiencing disability here in Sask," said Strocen, adding, that Camp Easter Seal is a fully accessible summer camp for the disabled.
"Absolutely everything from the walkways to the boats and to the docks and to the swimming pool is completely accessible," said Strocen, adding, "anybody can enjoy every aspect that camp has to offer."
For Bowlarama participants, it's the opportunity and inclusion that makes the event special.
"What it's done is it's taken and given the kids or the clients the opportunity to own their participation," said Gerryann Fraser, a parent of a Bowlarama participant.
"Whether it be Summer Fun, Camp Easter Seal or Adaptive Services, they own their part and they're very proud to take and do their part so that they're giving to what they get out of it too," added Fraser.
Fraser said that when she and her husband were looking to send their son Nicholas, who has Down syndrome, to a camp, prospective camps didn't return her questions or phone calls.
"When we got the opportunity for Nicholas to participate in Camp Easter Seal it gave a whole new light to his world," said Fraser.
Fraser said in Nicholas' words, "Camp Easter Seal is better than Christmas."
"We came home from that first week of camp it was absolutely a huge emotional event for us — not only for him — but us as a family to see how excited and how proud he was," said Fraser.
"What they (Camp Easter Seal) are doing is truly making a difference in somebody's life," said Fraser, adding, "you can't buy those experiences."
Though totals for Bowlarama won't be made available until after the weekend's Snowarama, Strocen said last year's fundraising efforts helped to raise over $12,000 which was added to the grand total of Snowarama.
Strocen said the community has been supportive, noting "the Yorkton Bowl Arena has been incredibly supportive."
"Just something for me to give back to [SaskAbilities]," said Brad Woychesko, Owner of Yorkton Bowl Arena, who donated the lanes to SaskAbilities for the fundraiser.
"They come and support me so it's just a way for me to give back to them," added Woychesko.
