This weekend people will be on the edge of their seats. Someone will step out onto the floor in a pair of shoes worn by many before them, nervously waiting to show off their bowling skills. With only 60 feet between the foul line and the pins, anything can happen.
On Saturday, March 29, Alpha Omicron Pi encourages everyone to gather at the Hammond Tangi Lanes Bowling Alley from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. to participate in the Strike Out Bowling Tournament. Each year, Alpha Omicron Pi hosts this tournament in order to support their national philanthropy, juvenile arthritis. Arthritis is the inflammation of a joint, which comes with symptoms of pain, swelling and stiffness.
Those wishing to participate in the tournament will need to gather a team of five people. The cost to participate is $20 per person or one hundred dollars per team. This year there are about 40 teams competing. The top team from each round competes for the cup and all proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Arthritis Research Foundation.
The Centers for Disease Control website states that in 2003, “The total cost of arthritis in the United States alone was around 128 billion dollars. Ten years later, that number has been estimated to have doubled.”
In previous years, Alpha Omicron Pi estimated that they have raised around $20,000 each year.
“The organization’s goal is to raise money for Arthritis Research, while getting the school and community to also support it,” said Philanthropy Chairperson for Alpha Omicron Pi, Taylor Newsom. “‘Strike Out’ came about a couple of years ago. It is an international philanthropy event for our sorority and we love to host this tournament every year. The tournament is great. Our entire chapter comes along with multiple different Greek organizations.”
If you would like more information concerning the fund raiser or would like to participate in the tournament, contact Newsom at [email protected].