FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jerry Schneider | PBA Media Relations
Professional Bowlers Association | 719 Second Avenue, Suite 701 | Seattle, WA 98104
Tel: 800.903.0930 | Fax: 206.332.9722 | jerry.schneider@pba.com | Cell: 262.366.2157

PBA Partners With Special Olympics Washington
For “Bowl for the Gold 2009” Fundraiser

SEATTLE, Wash. (Nov. 5, 2009) -- The Professional Bowlers Association is teaming up with Special Olympics Washington to conduct the “Bowl for the Gold 2009” fundraiser to be held Nov. 22 at Brunswick Majestic Lanes in Lynnwood, Wash.

The fundraiser will support sport and competition opportunities for more than 7,000 registered Special Olympics athletes in Washington.

“With bowling as one of Special Olympics’ most popular sports, we are looking forward to working with Special Olympics Washington to conduct a fun, first-class event that supports athletic opportunities for many people of all ages,” said PBA Commissioner Fred Schreyer. “We are also especially proud to be involved with an event that is being conducted in the Seattle area, the home of PBA and its owners.”

Special Olympics is an international organization that improves lives by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to nearly 3.1 million athletes, participating in 228 programs in all regions of the world. The organization provides year-round sports training, athletic competition, medical care, family support, education, and many other programs. The benefits from Special Olympics can be seen everyday, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities around the world in regions from the Middle East to the community playgrounds and ball fields in every small neighborhood in the United States. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy and friendship. Bowling is one of more than 30 Special Olympic sports available to its athletes.

“We are honored to partner with PBA for this event and we know our athletes will greatly benefit from their support,” said Special Olympics Washington CEO Beth Wojick. “I know our athletes will be very excited to meet the PBA players and to have an opportunity to learn from them.”

Open to anyone, the “Bowl for the Gold 2009” fundraiser format consists of teams with four or five players with each team member asked to raise or donate at least $50. All participants who raise or donate $100 or more will receive an official Bowl for the Gold T-Shirt. PBA regional pros Dean Buchanan and Adam Ahmad will also participate in the event.

For entry and additional event information call (206) 829-7076 or register by clicking on http://firstgiving.com/sowa. For those interested in making a donation but who are unable to participate, click on www.FirstGiving.com/BowlfortheGold<http://www.firstgiving.com/BowlfortheGold>.

The Bowling Foundation is also working with Special Olympics Washington to roll out the “Bowl for the Gold” fundraiser concept at the national level.

About the PBA
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) features the best bowlers in the world competing in National, Regional and Senior Tour events and awarded more than $4.3 million in prize money during the 2008-09 Lumber Liquidators PBA National Tour. The organization has more than 4,000 members spanning 13 countries, and nearly one million viewers tune-in to watch the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour every Sunday on ESPN throughout the season. PBA sponsors include Bayer, Brunswick, Etonic, Flomax, GEICO, Go RVing, H&R Block, Lumber Liquidators, Pepsi-Cola and the USBC, among others. For more information on the PBA, log on to www.pba.com<http://www.pba.com/>.

About Special Olympics Washington

The mission of Special Olympics Washington is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Washington provides athletes continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympic athletes, and the community.


By participating in sports, physical fitness and healthcare education programs, Special Olympics Washington athletes increase self-confidence and social skills, improve physical and motor skills, and have better success in leading more productive and independent lives.