Lutherbrook Bowl-A-Rama raises $82,000

More than 300 bowlers, including Addison Mayor Larry Hartwig, helped raise more than $82,000 for Lutherbrook Child and Adolescent Center at the 24th Annual Lutherbrook Bowl-A-Rama. Mayor Hartwig explained why he and so many others came out for the event, “We're privileged to have (Lutherbrook) as a part of the community and support them.”

All the proceeds from the Feb. 12-13 event at Addison's Stardust Bowl will go directly towards Lutherbrook's Outdoor Beautification and Recreation Initiative, which will provide funding for projects such as planting of new trees and other landscaping and the addition of new signage and picnic tables. Recreation equipment may also be purchased for some of Lutherbrook's residential cottages.

The generous underwriting by Noland Sales Corp. in Wood Dale made the success of the Lutherbrook Bowl-A-Rama possible, along with many community-minded businesses and individuals. Other notable sponsors included Zoom Communications, Sportco/VIP, Oxford Bank, Presta Construction and Thrivent Financial Chapters.

Individuals, schools and congregations were also a big part of the success of the event by collecting pledges and bringing teams to bowl. Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hillside had nearly 50 bowlers at the event. Other churches in attendance were Trinity Lutheran Church in Villa Park, along with Redeemer Lutheran from Elmhurst and Calvary Lutheran in Wood Dale.

All of this generosity was much appreciated by Lutherbrook Executive Director Brent Diers, who noted that the Bowl-A-Rama, “is a great way to connect with the community and have the community support the work that we do at Lutherbrook.”

Attendees enjoyed an afternoon of bowling and great raffle prizes with the knowledge that they were making a difference. The event's grand prize of a Samsung 58-inch plasma TV went to bowler/supporter Kari Lydon of UPS.

Lutherbrook is a specialized residential treatment center for children and youth with severe emotional and behavioral difficulties often stemming from abuse or neglect. Lutherbrook is a program of Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois, a nonprofit social ministry organization serving more than 35,000 individuals annually with programs such as foster care, adoption, counseling, residential treatment and a variety of community services. For more information on Lutherbrook or LCFS' other programs and services, visit www.lcfs.org or call 800-363-LFCS.