Community Comes Together for a Successful Bowl-A-Thon Fundraiser!
Photo by Amy Coffee. Gallery images below by Amy Coffee and Tim Cowley.
Last Saturday, the Faithful Friends community gathered at SuperPlay in Beaverton for our annual Bowl-a-Thon. The event was a combination of a fundraiser and a community building activity, bringing together mentor/mentee families and friends of the ministry. With a turnout of 130 attendees, the event was not only a celebration of camaraderie but also a successful fundraising event, bringing in an impressive $22-25k after expenses for our cause (numbers still in flux).
The excitement was palpable as attendees arrived, many donning colorful and creative costumes that added an extra layer of fun to the morning. Among the standout costumes was our executive director, Al Nodarse, who dressed as a pirate, complete with gold teeth, sparking laughter among guests of all ages.
Costume Party
A special highlight of the Bowl-a-Thon was the enthusiastic participation of the children. They enjoyed bowling alongside a range of exciting activities, including laser tag and an unlimited arcade. At times, we’d look around and wonder where all the kids had gone, only to realize they’d darted off to join a new game of laser tag! While the arcade and laser tag were clearly favorites, we also spotted some spirited mentor/mentee bowling competitions. To top off the fun, every child received a raffle ticket for a toy prize, creating smiles and lasting memories as they left with their treasures in hand. Liz Robinson and her daughter Gwen hosted the kid’s table, and 12-year-old Gwen did a fantastic job interviewing each child as their names were called to pick a prize. We think she has a bright future as a newscaster!
Arcade Shenanigans
The combination of bowling, games, and a festive atmosphere fostered a spirit of togetherness. Families and friends gathered to cheer each other on, creating an encouraging environment that brought out the best in everyone. The event was not only about raising funds but also about building connections and strengthening our community bonds. The funds raised will go directly towards continued programming and service of our matches.
Prizes & More
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this event. A special thank you to our lane sponsors, and in-kind donors whose generosity played a crucial role in making the Bowl-a-Thon possible. Additionally, a big shoutout to our dedicated staff and volunteers as well as our bowlathon committee (Blake Paterson, Meikel Seyoum, Liz Robinson and Grace Dyck).
As we reflect on this successful Bowl-a-Thon, it’s clear that our community has an incredible capacity for joy and support. The laughter, playfulness, and generous spirit displayed throughout the morning warmed our hearts. There were so many wonderful people in that room! We look forward to more events like this in the future, where we can continue to have fun while making a positive impact.
Golden Ticket Winner!
We are thrilled to announce the winner of our Golden Ticket Raffle: Aaron Muhs! Aaron’s name was chosen through a random computer selection, and the exciting news was announced at the end of our Bowl-a-Thon fundraising event on Saturday. As the lucky winner, Aaron will be enjoying a four-night getaway at a beautiful resort in Mexico—we hope he has a fun and relaxing getaway!
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who purchased raffle tickets. Your participation not only made the raffle a success but also played a key role in helping us reach our fundraising goals for the event. Every ticket bought made a difference, and we are so grateful for your support.
Whether you rolled a strike, participated in the online auction, bought a raffle ticket, or just came to cheer your involvement in the Bowl-a-Thon brought our community together in a fun and meaningful way. Congratulations again to Aaron Muhs! Thanks to everyone who participated. Who knows, maybe you’ll be next year’s lucky winner!
