The LaPorte County Family YMCA hosted their first Bowl-O-Rama at City Lanes in Michigan City. This event was held to bring families and community members together as well as to raise money for the scholarships the YMCA awards.
“One-hundred percent of the proceeds from this event go to our scholarship program. As a YMCA, we accept scholarships and award scholarships based on need, and with the pandemic we're going through, there is more need than ever right now. We never turn anyone away for the inability to pay and all the proceeds for this will go toward that.” CEO of LaPorte County Family YMCA organization Laurie Halaska said.
All of the proceeds from this event will go to the scholarship program at the LaPorte County Family YMCA. The YMCA awards scholarships every year, and they are hoping to raise more money than they were able to last year, as they are now able to host more fundraising events with the lifting of COVID-19 guidelines.
“In 2021, we gave out $105,000 in scholarships, which is a little bit lower than what we usually award due to the pandemic. We're hoping that this year we will give out more as COVID restrictions are lifted,“ Jessica Durham, the marketing and events director for the LaPorte County Family YMCA said.
There were many partners that helped to support this event and the radio station WIMS is one of them. During the event, radio host Ric Federighi frequently went on Facebook Live to show people who may not have been able to attend what was going on within the event.
“We partner up with a lot of these folks that are out here, but we partner to make a difference,” Federighi said. “We're out here today, trying to raise funds and awareness for the LaPorte County Family YMCA programs, scholarships, and other things that they do year-round in all their different branches. You see a lot of host families here today that are able to be here today because of some of these wonderful sponsors that made it happen for them.”
John Horton does a monthly show with Federighi on WIMS and decided to sponsor the event. Horton works for Prime Lending and is a residential lender for all your mortgage, residential, and refinance purchase needs.
“I love supporting what I do. It's a great event and I thought, ‘You know what, bring the boys down, have some fun and support a great cause’. We’re around anytime any support or anything is needed. I'd love people to reach out. We like to get involved and help the community.” Horton said.
This event put an emphasis on including anyone and everyone who wanted to attend and participate. Young children and their grandparents were all able to enjoy the afternoon of bowling and supporting the YMCA scholarships.
“This event really was born out of looking for something to include all the families and any skill level. This is something that anybody could come and do. You don't have to be an athlete to come out and bowl for an afternoon. It's great to see all the families out here, every age young and old,” Durham said.
YMCA supporter and LaPorte County Sheriff Candidate Andy Hynek emphasized the importance of the YMCA organizations and programs not only in LaPorte but across the county.
“It is absolutely amazing to see the support that the YMCA gets from the community as a whole. There are so many folks here that I personally know that are from Rolling Prairie, Michigan City, and LaPorte. It truly is a county-wide organization, and the folks here are a true representation of that,” Hynek said. “I think anything that we can do to better both adult and youth lives through the encouragement of extracurricular activities and sports simply makes us a better community. A healthier community is an overall better community.”
Marty Corley, the Chief of Operations for Michigan City Police Department, is also a board member of the LaPorte County Family YMCA. He was able to work with all of the law enforcement departments in LaPorte County to put together a silent auction basket to help support and raise money.
“When I showed up this morning, I saw all the lanes were full except for maybe one. It is good to see the families here. You get to know and then see all the people that you connect with or network with at other places all in one. It's like a big family event,” Corley said. “I’m loving this really great day. We've started having a good time being family-focused and community-oriented. I'm happy to be here.”
Attendees were able to support the scholarship fund through a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, and donations. Over the course of the event, approximately $3,000 was raised. For more information regarding the LaPorte County Family YMCA please visit www.lpymca.org.
