Over the next two weekends, the United Way of Lowndes County will hold the first annual Bowlathon at Columbus Lanes.
From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Aug. 1, 2, 8 and 9, each adult can pay $15, and each child can pay $7.50, in exchange for three games of bowling and shoe rental.
Participants will be eligible to win door prizes such as gift certificates for local stores and restaurants. In addition, the largest company group and the largest family group will each receive an appreciation award.
Excluding expenses, proceeds from the event will go toward the United Way of Lowndes County and its umbrella organizations.
If 200 or more people come, Columbus Lanes will donate $500 to the local United Way.
Such a donation would have a major impact, executive director Jan Ballard said.
“It could pay a utility bill for a family that has had hours reduced dramatically,” she said. “If they”ve been laid off and they”re just one mortgage payment away from losing their home, $500 could help them stay in their home until they get back on their feet.”
Such money could also pay for medications, or fuel for vehicles in the local Dial-a-Bus fleet, she added.
Ballard, for one, will be bowling, along with three of her colleagues from the county”s United Way.
“It might not be pretty, but actually we”re really looking forward to it. We know it”s gonna be fun, and we wanna support what they”re doing as well,” she said, referring to Columbus Lanes” possible donation.
Ballard said James Morton, a former Columbus Lanes manager and a coordinator of the event, is willing to stay late at the bowling alley to let people bowl as late as they would like.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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