The Watertown High School girls basketball team will take some time away from the court to host a bowling event to raise money for youth sports and other programs for kids.
Bowl 4 Kids will take place on Thursday, Feb. 16, from 6-10 p.m. at Brighton Bowl (Flatbread Co.), 76 Guest St. in Brighton.
Last year, the event raised $10,000 for local organizations such as the Watertown Boys & Girls Club, the Watertown Food Pantry and youth sports organizations, said Taylor Lambo, a 2022 WHS grad who played on the girls basketball team.
“It was a bowling fundraiser where anyone could come and Flatbread — the restaurant — helped and donated the food so that all the money went to charity,” Lambo said.
Lily Lambo, a junior on the team (and Taylor’s sister) added: “The fundraiser was really good. It was successful and fun!”
The effort also helped the high school students learn about giving back to others, and in some cases, helping groups they had participated it. WHS junior Sarah Morrissey, also a basketball player, said: “I think it was good for the older kids to give back to the community. It helps a lot.”
Matt Lambo, Taylor and Lily’s father, spearheaded the effort. The money was divided among the hosts (WHS girls basketball), the charity with the best bowlers, and winners of the lucky ball draw where people bought balls and wrote their favorite charity on it.
“It was all who you wanted to voted for,” Lambo said. “So, people chose Cambridge Youth Center and Horizons for Homeless and Watertown Food Pantry and the Boys & Girls Club, and they split it.”
After the event last year, the Taylor sisters and Morrissey delivered the check to the Watertown Food Pantry. Kathy Cunningham, coordinator of the Food Pantry said the $1,500 will be spent on food and other items for the users of the pantry
“We serve about 100 families a day,” Cunningham said, who said that the need has grown during the COVID-19 Pandemic. “A lot of people’s benefits have been cut.”
Entries and sponsorships are now available for the 2023 event. For $50, a person can bowl, and enjoy drinks and appetizers, and $300 sponsors a team of 3-4 people.
The Lucky Ball entries cost $50 for one ball or $200 for five.
Sponsoring a bowling lane costs $600, which includes a handmade lane sign and entry for a team. Super sponsorship is $1,200, which includes a larger handmade lane sign and entry for two teams.
For more information contact Matt Lambo at 617-827-5797, or Cisco888nv@gmail.com