More stories of bowling center owners stepping up to help with hurricane relief — in both Texas and Florida — are demonstrating bowling’s unique place in American society. Two specific examples: The efforts of Bowlmor AMF and Bowland centers.
Bowlmor AMF sent out an email detailing the company’s relief initiative. It asked customers to make a donation to the American Red Cross at any of its centers, and said the company would match the donations, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000.
When Bowland decided to purchase a food truck, the seven-center chain of bowling centers in South Florida envisioned many ways it could be used. Providing food and beverage relief for hurricane victims was not among them. But that’s just what happened.
Bowland’s NEMO Sports food truck arrived two weeks before Hurricane Irma tore through the region. The company quickly realized that it could literally be a “vehicle” to help those in need.
“We have two bowling centers in Naples, which is where Irma made landfall,” said Mike Cannington, Director of Marketing and Sales for Bowland Centers. “Our centers there were not operational due to the storm, and we knew that many in the area were in need of food and water. It was an easy decision to get the food truck down there to help.”
Over the course of the first few days, NEMO Sports provided food and water to hundreds of hurricane victims and first responders. As power was restored to the Naples area, the truck moved on to the hard-hit community Lehigh Acres. Now, Bowland is focused on taking care of the linemen who have come from across the country to assist in relief efforts.
“We were very fortunate that only three of our seven centers experienced damage, and all are back up and running now,” added Cannington. “We live and work in these communities and are proud we’ve been able to help those in need as they rebuild.”
Bowland purchased the food truck as an extension of its food and beverage service in its bowling centers. “Bowling is our core but we are extremely proud of the food we serve… We are not a stereotypical snack bar,” he said. “We expect the NEMO Sports food truck to become a staple at events throughout our communities moving forward.”
For more information on Bowland and its bowling centers in Fort Myers, Naples, Lehigh Acres, Cape Coral and Port Charlotte, visit bowland-centers.com.
The impact of Hurricane Irma on the bowling community wasn’t limited to Florida. The PBA South Region postponed the PBA and PBA-PWBA Fayetteville South Open doubleheader, scheduled for Fayetteville Lanes in LaFayette, N.C., due to the anticipated arrival of Irma along the Atlantic Coast.
Back in Houston, among the thousands of people offering assistance was newly signed Houston Rocket player and noted PBA friend Chris Paul, who donated $75,000 to help victims.
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