STRIKES  FOR  SPECIAL  OLYMPICS  Event  Guide  

2013  

   Developed  by  the  Law  Enforcement  Torch  Run®  for  Special  Olympics  and  the  Bowling  Proprietors’  

Association  of  America        

                                                                         

 

                   

STRIKES FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS Law Enforcement Torch Run® Fundraiser to support US Special

Olympics Programs NEW FOR 2013 The Strikes for Special Olympics initiative will no longer be connected to the AVSC promotion during the Holiday season. Based on input from the LETR field and BPAA, Strikes for Special Olympics will now be a program without specific date guidelines that can be activated any time of year. Each SO/LETR Program is able to work with local bowling centers to determine the best event time for all parties involved. There will not be an icon program in 2013. PARTNERSHIP Special Olympics and the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA) will again collaborate together in 2013 to promote Strikes for Special Olympics. BPAA will work with the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics (LETR) to host and help organize bowling fundraising events to benefit Special Olympics athletes and US Special Olympics programs. STRIKES FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS This nationwide fundraising effort will continue to be called “Strikes for Special Olympics” with LETR volunteers and SO staff dedicated to the LETR collaborating with BPAA center owners and operators to put on fundraising events in support of Special Olympics. The funds raised through locally organized Strikes for Special Olympics events will benefit the state LETR and Special Olympics programs where the funds are raised. The inclusion of Special Olympics athletes in every event is highly recommended and encouraged! This event guide is designed to assist both LETR and BPAA members in the planning and implementation of successful bowling fundraising events.

 

IMPORTANCE Strikes for Special Olympics aligns the power, dedication and grassroots reach of the LETR with the community based, fast growing sport of bowling best advocated through the BPAA, the voice of the bowling industry. Based on the fundraising success of the LETR and the number of bowling centers in the USA, this collaborative effort has the potential to make a significant difference for Special Olympics. EVENT LOCATIONS There are over 3,500 bowling centers in the United States that are BPAA members. This event guide is to be distributed along with statewide contact information for BPAA and LETR members as attachments to assist with communication and collaboration at the state and local level. A spreadsheet showing BPAA affiliated centers and contact information is being distributed along with this guide (also available on LETR resources page at www.specialolympics.org). Another way to find local bowling centers affiliated with BPAA is to go to www.GoBowling.com, click on “Find a Center” at the top center of the home page, then type in a zip code. The site will provide locations and contact information for bowling centers within a 50-mile radius. TYPES OF BOWLING FUNDRAISING EVENTS BPAA members are experts at hosting bowling fundraising events and know what works best in their areas. There are a wide variety of successful bowling fundraising events that can be planned and executed. A large part of this event guide is dedicated to providing ideas and tips on what type of event to have and how to maximize your fundraising success. However, the type of event you hold is up to you and your creativity! FIRST STEP At the state level, it is recommended that each LETR Liaison/Director make contact with their respective BPAA State Executive Director to discuss statewide initiatives and goals, and vice versa. BPAA has State Presidents who can also help and provide support (and be the main point of contact for those states where there is no BPAA State ED). Contact lists should be distributed out to the LETR field along with this event guide. For local LETR supporters, the first step in the process is to make contact with your local bowling center owner or manager to share ideas, decide on the type of event(s) to host and event date, and then get started with the planning and promotion of your event. For local BPAA members, you can contact your state LETR Liaison or Director to obtain local LETR contact information for your area.

 

SUPPORT ASSISTANCE LETR volunteers should work with their state LETR Liaisons and Directors for any local support and assistance needed. State LETR Liaisons and Directors should contact Michael Teem, Executive Director of the LETR, at mteem@specialolympics.org or by phone at 240-593-4949 for any support needs, questions, or concerns. BPAA members should seek initial support and assistance from their state contacts. BPAA State Presidents and Executive Directors should communicate and work in collaboration with state LETR Liaisons and Directors to facilitate local connections and handle any local concerns. BPAA members can also contact Michael Teem of Special Olympics, contact information above, for any assistance that is needed. REPORTING LETR Liaisons should develop a system to be able to account for the number of events and amount of funds raised within their state. This important information will be requested as a part of the annual LETR survey conducted in the spring of each year.

 

STRIKES FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS

EVENT PLANNING AND EXECUTION

HOSTING A BOWLING FUNDRAISER There are a lot of advantages in hosting a bowling fundraiser. This type of event is both fun and successful because you have a large, well established base of people who already enjoy this activity. Some of the advantages are:

• The event venue is already available to you • All the sporting equipment you need is provided by the bowling center • Bowling center management is experienced in doing fundraisers

and happy to help you plan your event • Weather is not usually a factor • The event can be held day or night • There is minimum set up the day of the event • There are many different bowling event formats to choose from • Food and beverages are already on site • It’s a group-friendly event for churches, schools, clubs, and companies • All ages can participate • EVERYBODY LIKES TO BOWL!!

GETTING STARTED The first thing you want to do is get in touch with the manager of your local bowling center. He/She is very experienced in hosting fundraisers and can provide you with detailed guidance about how to maximize fundraising for your event. The manager can help you decide a number of things such as:

• What bowling event will work best in meeting your fundraising goals • How to best recruit bowlers to participate • When the best day of the week and time of day is to host your event.

Most bowling fundraisers last 2 ½ to 3 hours. A large event, such as a

 Bowl-a-Thon may even have two shifts in one day

• Amount of the entry fee • The number of lanes you will need • What things do you want to include in your event to make it more

interesting or fun for your bowlers • The best way to set up check-in on the day of the event • How many volunteers you will need to staff your event • What food and beverages to serve (if any), and the cost • The number and type of prizes and awards • How many persons on a bowling team • When registration cut-off should be

Many bowling center operators offer substantial discounts of up to 50% to charitable groups. Most will offer a flat rate per bowler or per lane, which can include food and a beverage for each bowler.  

PREPARING FOR YOUR EVENT You should begin planning your event at least 30 to 60 days in advance and should set up a committee of several people to help. This will give you enough time to:

• Recruit bowlers and sponsors • Market your event • Arrange for printing sponsor signs and banners • Solicit door prizes • Purchase trophies and awards if needed • Arrange for donated food if allowed by the bowling center • Meet with the bowling center manager to go over placement of tables

for regular and VIP check-in, awards, and t-shirt sales • Order event t-shirts, if included in the registration fee • Obtain items for a goody bag if one is included • Send out regular updates to the media • Send pre-registration info with team names and bowler names to the

manager so he can assign lanes in center’s computer system OBTAINING SPONSORS One the best ways to raise a large sum of money is to recruit sponsors prior to the event. These sponsors can provide you with funds to cover the cost of the bowling and purchase awards, trophies, and prizes. Some sponsors may adopt a feeling of ownership in the event and help you promote it. They can provide resources you may not have, including volunteers, art and graphic design, printing, pre-registration help, solicitation of door prizes and goody bag items, and access to more

 potential bowlers through their employees, vendors and customers. Some ways to recruit sponsors for your event are:

• Develop a sponsor package with different levels of benefits for different amounts. For instance a premier event sponsorship might be $2,500, and the sponsor gets VIP treatment, a certain number of teams, industry exclusivity, banners, signage, and logo placement on all advertising

• Corporate packages for $1,000 to $1,500 that include two or more teams, lane sponsor sign, a banner, and logo placement depending on the amount

• Lane sponsorships for $500 that include one team and a lane sponsor sign

• Lane sponsor for $200 that includes a lane sponsor sign only • VIP packages that include priority registration, lane choice, a

dedicated private host or hostess, beverages and food delivered to their lanes, team photos, etc

• Don’t forget current LETR sponsors. You can strengthen your relationship with them by inviting them to come and join the party by providing special discounted entry fees for their past loyalty

PRE-EVENT MARKETING Once you have met with the bowling center manager and decided what type of bowling event to have, start marketing your event to the public. The more people that hear about your event, the more will come and participate. Form a committee of volunteers to help you market your event. Sit down with the committee and come up with a plan on how to best spread the word in your community. There are a number of ways to advertise your event, such as:

• Create a poster and flyer to post in local businesses, schools, gyms, and at the bowling center. Be sure to list the bowling center name, address, the bowling format, date and time of the event, and prizes

• Post the details of the event on your Facebook page and Twitter feed. Create an invitation and send it out to all your friends

• Ask your bowling center for access to bowling league contact information and bowling sponsors/supporters and invite them to participate, or ask the center manager to forward an e-mail with an attached flyer to all league members and sponsors in his address book

• Contact local church youth groups, colleges, community organizations and social groups and invite them to participate

 • Send out e-mails to all your friends asking them to forward an

attached flyer to all their friends • Contact your local print media, TV and radio stations and send them

a press release about your event. Ask for a Public Service Announcement (PSA) giving details of the date and time of your event. Get your Public Information Officer (PIO) involved if you have one

• Ask the local television station news managers to list your event on their assignment board, which means that the station will likely cover your event

• Also ask station news managers about a pre-event interview, allowing you to come to the station for an interview about the event, or on-site at the bowling center where you will have the event. If on-site, try to include the center’s manager who can talk about the format and fun of the event

• Invite local radio and television personalities to be celebrity bowlers. Have one of them be your master of ceremonies

• Ask your state Special Olympics office and your department to post your event on their website, Facebook page and Twitter feed

• Contact your local Special Olympics coordinator to ask him/her to share the information with athletes and their families. Having a unified bowling event with athletes actively involved is always best-case scenario!

• Ask a local car dealership to donate a corner of its full page sales ad to print your flyer

RAISING THE MOST MONEY POSSIBLE The key to making a lot of money from your event is to get the bowlers involved in raising money. This can be done in a number of ways depending on the bowling format you use. Some ways to increase your revenue include:

• Do a bowl-a-thon where bowlers ask for pledges for each pin knocked down in three or more games, or ask bowlers to raise money over and above the registration fee by asking for donations from friends, family and employers

• Ask team members to raise money collectively as a team, with the captain and every team member raising $100 each

• List your event on a fundraising website like Firstgiving® or Kintera®, and ask your bowlers to set up their own personal fundraising web pages for credit card donations from friends and family. Your state SO program should be able to assist in setting this up

• Offer prizes for the most money raised by an individual, a Special Olympics athlete, a team, a school, and a company

 • Do a raffle or silent auction during the event. 50/50 raffles are very

popular with bowlers DAY OF THE EVENT By the day of the event you should have everything in place to ensure that everyone has a great time and that you raise a lot of money. Some things to remember are:

• You and your volunteers get to the bowling center early to set things up • Have Special Olympics athletes in place as greeters • Have team check-in packets ready with waivers, lane assignments,

rules, door prize tickets, and meal tickets together in one envelope • Have your goody bags made and ready to give out at check-in • Place all your lane sponsor signs, and hang any banners • Have the D.J. get everyone to their lanes to start on time • Have an athlete speak to welcome everyone and thank them for

coming • Plan to play the National Anthem • Just prior to the start, thank everyone for coming out to support

Special Olympics, and explain any rules if need be. Also warn the bowlers that fun and unusual things might pop up during their games

• Have the emcee or a DJ keep things lively with music, commentary, door prize numbers, and lane games everyone has to play

• During the bowling, have someone stay close to the center’s counter staff to settle any issues that might arise

• Count the money to determine any fundraising prizes while participants are bowling

• With computer scoring you can award prizes for all kinds of things like: o Highest individual score, youth and adult, male and female, SO

athlete o Most strikes or spares by an individual, male and female o Lowest team score o Most gutter balls by a team (usually self-reported) o Any seven-ten splits made

• Other prizes can include best costume, or best dressed team, prettiest bowling ball, ugliest bowling shirt, and best team t-shirt

• After the bowling is completed, be ready to award all the prizes as soon as the center’s staff gets you the computer scoring report

 

AFTER THE EVENT Once you have had a successful event, remember that there are still some things that you need to do to insure the event will be an even bigger success next year. These things include:

• Send a thank you letter or handwritten note to the staff of the bowling center thanking them for all their support

• Meet with the bowling center staff to discuss any issues that came up during the event

• Thank your volunteers for all their hard work in making the event a success

• Send a letter to each of your sponsors thanking them for their sponsorship (list the amount) and tell them how much money was raised

• Send a letter to each team captain thanking him/her for supporting your event and inviting them back next year. Include a short report on how many teams bowled, how much money was raised, and a list of award winners. Also ask them for any feedback they may have about how the event was organized

• Post pictures of the event on your department’s website, if allowed, and ask the state and local Special Olympics program to do the same

• Post pictures on all the Facebook pages that you can • Thank any media representatives that came out or helped promote

the event DECIDING THE BOWLING FORMAT THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU One of the great things about hosting a bowling fundraiser is that that there are many formats that you can use. These range from a straight bowling team tournament to midnight cosmic psychedelic bowling. The right format for you will depend on what target group of bowlers you want to attract and the limits of your imagination. Here are some formats to consider:

• Regular bowling team tournament o Teams of 4 to 5 participants bowl three games, and the highest

combined team score wins • Bowl-a-Thon

o Teams of 4 to 5 people bowl three games and collects pledges ranging from $.10 to $1.00 for each pin that each individual or all team members collectively knock down. The donation is based on the total number on pins knocked down and is collected after the event

o If donations are collected by each player in advance to meet a team’s fundraising goal, then pin counts do not apply. Web-based fundraising by each team member works very well here

 o Donations or sponsorships by employers are another good

source of revenue for this format. Team captains can be asked to coordinate the fundraising for the team. There is no limit on the amount of funds raised by each person, but there should be a requested minimum, such as $100 per bowler

• Speed Bowling o In speed bowling, teams of 4-5 persons are given two hours to

knock down as many pins as possible. This can be done in most centers because the computer can track the number of pins knocked down by each bowler during a game. The only limitation in this event is waiting for the lane’s pinsetter to reset

• Bowl for the Gold o This format is the same as a regular tournament or bowl-a-thon

with 4 person teams. The only difference is that each team may bring a Special Olympics athlete as a 5th team member, or be assigned an athlete at check-in. The athlete’s score is counted in all games. This allows each team to spend some time with a Special Olympics athlete, and is an excellent way to introduce Special Olympics on a personal level to your bowlers

• Rock and Bowl, Xtreme Bowling, Cosmic Bowling o These formats combine lights and music to change the

atmosphere of the bowling. The house lights are dimmed and black lights and disco balls change the color and perception of the pins and the surroundings. Loud rock and roll music is played by a D.J. who keeps things lively with special frame-games like bowling with your eyes closed, spinning then bowling, and croquette bowling. This is where team members stand in a line one behind the other with legs apart, and a member of the team must roll the ball through their legs and down the lane

o Either a regular bowling tournament or a bowl-a-thon format works very well for this event. The music and lights just add more fun. This is very popular with all ages and can be done at any time of the day. Midnight bowling also works well, especially for young people

• Formal Night/Costume Bowling o This format uses a regular three game tournament or bowl-a-

thon format. The difference is that all bowlers must come dressed in formal wear. That means gowns for the ladies and tuxedos or suits for the men. This format could be popular with corporate sponsors. It should include things that imply a formal gathering like big band music and a glass of non-alcoholic sparkling cider for each team member. The cider should be served by volunteers at each lane just prior to the start of the

 tournament, and a toast offered by the emcee to the athletes of Special Olympics

o Costume night is the same format only bowlers must come in costume, and prizes are given for the best individual costume and the best costumed team. You can have themes for this event like pirate bowling, sports bowling, and favorite movie/cartoon character bowling

ADDING A LITTLE FUN TO THE EVENT Regardless of which bowling format you choose, there are ways to add additional fun to the event. These are only limited by your imagination. Here is a list of things that you can have your bowlers do during the event to add to their team spirit and sense of fun. Your bowling center operator is familiar with most of these games and can explain them in more detail. One word of warning, in a regular tournament with serious bowlers these activities might not be appropriate. Here is list of games provided by David Posternak of Bowl New England Inc.” “The lights and music certainly make the show good, but the games and contests you run with your customers separate us from the rest. The entertainment value that they provide and lasting memories that these games create make this more than just a program. The games should be something that the crowd gets pumped up for and the more participation the better.”

• Human Musical Chairs • Jeopardy • Hawaiian Punch Chugging Contest • Cracker Eating Contest • Bingo • Belly Bowl • Limbo Contest • Stupid Human Tricks • Obstacle Course • Name That Tune • Karaoke • Opposite Hand Bowling • Joke Contest • Spin Around (10 seconds, then Bowl) • Dance Contest • Beat the Geek (Pro) • Family Feud

 • Guess What Your Eating • Banana Eating Contest – Blindfolded • Hula Hoop Contest • Battle of the Sexes • Galactic – The Weakest Link • Pin Count • Useless Knowledge Trivia • Prize Filled Balloon Popping Contest • Croquet Bowling • Quarterback Bowling • Olympic Bowling

 

STRIKES FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Registration Form (SAMPLE) Date ____________________ Team name__________________________________________________ Team captain_________________________________________________ Address_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Phone # __________________________________ Company sponsored? Yes ____ No ____ If yes, company name and address _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ Team members____________________________ Shoe size ______

____________________________ Shoe size ______ ____________________________ Shoe size ______ ____________________________ Shoe size ______ ____________________________ Shoe size ______

Filled in by event staff at check-in. Team entry fee $__________________ Additional money raised $__________________ Total $__________________ If your team raised additional money, who was the top fundraiser on your team? Name _____________________________________ Amount _________________            

 SAMPLE/DRAFT*

**MEDIA ADVISORY ** MEDIA ADVISORY ** MEDIA ADVISORY **

 

POLICE OFFICERS AND LOCAL BOWLERS ROLL STRIKES FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Bowlers from around NAME TOWN/CITY and Local Law Enforcement Officers Raise

Funds to Benefit Special Olympics STATE

Who: Special Olympics State (SOXX) athletes, local Law Enforcement agencies, and local bowlers

What: Local law enforcement officers are hosting Strikes for Special Olympics, a

bowling event to raise money for Special Olympics athletes

When: DATE AND TIME OF EVENT

Where: NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE BOWLING CENTER Why: Drop in info from local program boilerplate. (…more than 200 million people

worldwide have intellectual disabilities….) and local LETR partner information… Strikes for Special Olympics is part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) campaign. The LETR is represented by more than 96,000 law enforcement officers worldwide who raise money and public awareness for Special Olympics. The LETR is the largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics. Funds raised go directly to local programs in states or countries where the funds are generated. Last year the LETR raised over $45 million, and has raised over $455 million since its inception in 1981.

CONTACT: YOUR NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION

 

 

   

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics The Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) for Special Olympics is the Special Olympics movement's largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle in the world. In 2012, dedicated law enforcement volunteers raised over US$45 million for Special Olympics Programs around the world and eclipsed US$455 million raised since the inception of the LETR. The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas (USA) Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw an urgent need to raise funds for and increase awareness of Special Olympics. The LETR was quickly endorsed by Special Olympics, Inc. and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), now recognized as the Founding Law Enforcement Organization of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Over the past 32 years, the Law Enforcement Torch Run has evolved from a symbolic awareness run to a very significant, annual fundraising effort conducted by the law enforcement community. From Torch Run T-shirt and hat sales and to a wide variety and multitude of special events, such as golf tournaments, Over the Edge, "Tip-A-Cop" events, Polar Plunges®, the World’s Largest Truck Convoy® and Cops on Doughnut Shops® fundraisers, the LETR raises funds so that more Special Olympics athletes can benefit in many areas of their lives through sports training and competition. More than 96,000 law enforcement officers in all 50 U.S. States, 12 Canadian provinces/territories, and 48 other countries contribute to LETR efforts annually as Guardians of the Flame®, ensuring the delivery of the Special Olympics Flame of Hope™ to the Opening Ceremonies of local Special Olympics competitions, state/provincial Games, and National Games. Since 1987, law enforcement officers from around the world have gathered to carry the Flame of Hope in a Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg in conjunction with Special Olympics World Summer and World Winter Games. Since 2001, Special Olympics athletes have participated as members of the Unified Final Leg Team. The last World Games Final Leg took place in 2013, when an international team of law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes conducted runs and ceremonies in communities throughout the Republic of Korea to heighten awareness of Special Olympics and the World Winter Games held in Korea.

For more information about the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics, please visit www.specialolympics.org.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police is the Founding Law Enforcement

Organization of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics

 

VISION Make bowling centers the destination choice for all

MISSION BPAA is the voice of the bowling industry. Our mission is to enhance the profitability of our members.

The “ELEVATOR SPEECH”—BPAA • The BPAA is the leading voice in bowling. • Our membership includes most of the bowling centers in the U.S. • Our focus is to help increase the profitability of our members. • We empower our member centers with the knowledge, support

and resources to unlock their potential. • The BPAA network of centers extends to all 50 states and virtually

every major market. • We have a healthy, active membership base—our programs have

participation levels of 98%. • We are the ultimate corporate partner.

The “ELEVATOR SPEECH”—BOWLING • Bowling is the largest participatory sport in the world. • Our industry has seen a major resurgence—we’ve had three

straight years of increased visits to bowling centers nationwide. • The face of bowling has changed and the sport is now very

popular among young adults, singles and females.

PROOF POINTS • There are more than 5,000 bowling centers throughout the U.S. • 70 million Americans bowl every year. • The average bowler is 29 years old and women make up half of all

bowlers. • More than 10 million kids have “bowling birthdays”. • Bowling is now the fastest growing high school sport.

 

 

NOTES                                        

 This event guide was prepared by Roy Forrest, Chair of the International LETR Executive Council’s Marketing and Development Committee, and Michael Teem, LETR Executive Director for SOI, with review and collaboration provided by the LETR/BPAA Committee