Fri, Jun 3rd 2022 09:20 am
Team RPCS and Russell J. Salvatore join forces for tournament, tribute bowl and an afternoon of family fun bowling at Tonawanda Bowling Center
Team RPCS – Roswell Park Cessation Services – needed to be creative to raise funds toward the “Ride for Roswell” the past two years. With the COVID-19 pandemic lessening in severity, the small but mighty team will revive a successful event from 2019: the second annual Russell J. Salvatore Bowling Open.
Team RPCS and legendary restaurateur Salvatore present a day of bowling activities from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 12, at Tonawanda Bowling Center, located at 574 Young St. Door prizes, a 50/50 drawing, gift card drawings, silent auctions and more than 50 raffle baskets with gifts generously donated from Western New York’s top establishments are also part of the day’s events. All details plus downloadable posters are available at https://tinyurl.com/RPCS2022.
Salvatore will once again roll a ceremonial “first ball” to kick off the events.
The day begins at 11 a.m. with a tribute bowl called the “57-Frame Game,” in honor of two people who share a special bond. Mary Hayward, a longtime Team RPCS member, passed away in May 2021 at age 57 after a brave fight against ovarian cancer. She is one of two “Bills Mafia Sisters,” as dubbed by Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, who wore the No. 57 on his jersey.
Contestants of the “57-Frame Game” will bowl 57 frames in honor of a loved one affected by cancer. The person who raises the most funds receives dinner for two at Russell’s Steaks, Chops & More and an overnight stay at Salvatore’s Grand Hotel.
Following the “57-Frame Game” from 1-3 p.m. is a “Family and Friends Bowl.” This event is open to all and costs $20 per person or $110 for a group of six, including two hours of open bowling, shoe rental, pizza, pretzels, chips and soda.
Finally, from 4-6 p.m., the day’s events culminate with a “Singles No-Tap Bowling Tournament.” The first-place finishers in both handicap and scratch divisions will receive luxury prizes donated by Salvatore. The entry fee is $50 per division.
Due to popular demand, the tournament will include a separate third division for youth bowlers under the age of 18. Winners will receive prize money directly into their SMART scholarship funds through the United States Bowling Congress. The entry fee is $50.
Team RPCS will also collect baby items, adult self-care items and nonperishable foods for the Jefferson Avenue community affected by recent tragic events. Anyone who donates five items will receive a free sheet of basket raffle tickets (valued at $5).
The first annual Russell J. Salvatore Bowling Open in April 2019 raised $8,000 toward the “Ride for Roswell.” Anyone interested in participating in any capacity for 2022 – whether through bowling, volunteering and/or sponsoring – should contact Patricia Bax at 716-284-6576 or [email protected].
RPCS provides evidence-based, best-practice tobacco cessation services to employees of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, the New York State Smokers’ Quitline, health plans and employer-sponsored programs. More information is available at https://rpcs.roswellpark.org.
