Senior center’s bowling fundraiser is Feb. 11

Those who can spare a couple hours to bowl some spares in Poway next month will be helping seniors gain access to art classes and more at the Ed Brown Senior Center.

The second annual SuperBOWL will be held in two sessions during the afternoon of Wednesday, Feb. 11 at Poway Fun Bowl, 12941 Poway Road in Poway. The first session is 3 to 5 p.m. and second is 5 to 7 p.m. During each, participants can play two games of bowling as individuals or members of four-person teams.

The event is for all ages, so families are welcome, as are businesses who would like to provide an opportunity for out-of-the-workplace bonding and camaraderie by forming an employee team.

Valerie Brown, an EBSC board member, said organizers were pleasantly surprised to see several businesses form teams for last year’s event that raised more than $3,500. Brown said organizers are hoping for at least $5,000 this year through participant registration, a silent auction and event sponsorships.

“We are appreciative of all the support the community has given us, that it believes in us and supports us,” she said. “When we were faltering (a couple years ago) the community rallied behind us and supported us.”

Brown said proceeds from this year’s event will go toward providing an art class for disabled seniors at the center in Rancho Bernardo Community Park. She said the center received a $1,000 grant for the class through the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation last November, but it will cost $3,600 to provide the class for one year.

Anything left over will go toward the center’s scholarship program to help fixed-income seniors with the annual membership fee ($60 for an individual or $100 for dual) and $100 class pass. As part of the center’s financial restructuring when it faced near-closure a couple years ago it had to significantly raise its annual dues and it instituted the class pass for those who wanted access to more than the center’s basic programming.

Brown said it is easy to forget, due to Rancho Bernardo’s reputation, that there are residents on limited incomes and even an extra $100 is beyond their financial means. Last year around 30 of the center’s 400 or so members received a scholarship. The scholarships were provided by donors for the first couple years, but now the center has to generate the funding itself, she said.

As for the bowling event, Brown said it is an opportunity for intergenerational interaction, where grandparents might bring their grandchildren and families can have fun. “It is a chance to be healthy and active, which is what we are trying to get more into and what we do,” she said.

It costs $20 for individual bowlers and $70 for teams of four. It covers two games, shoe rental and snacks.

There are three sponsorship packages. The King Pin package is $250, which includes a team of four bowlers, a 6-foot table display at the event and the company’s logo included on all marketing materials. The Lucky Strike package is $200, which includes the display and marketing opportunity, while the Spare Set package for $100 means the company’s logo will appear on all marketing materials.

To buy a bowling ticket or purchase a sponsor package, go to https://edbrownsuperbowl2015.eventbee.com or call the Ed Brown Senior Center at 858-487-9324. The deadline is Jan. 31, though if space permits, bowlers will be allowed to register at the event.