ROCKINGHAM – There wasn’t a safe pin on the alley as bowling enthusiasts descended onto Strikers Bowling Center in Rockingham on Monday evening, June 11 for a fundraiser for the Richmond County Chapter of the Autism Society of North Carolina.
Local Chapter President Emily Tucker stated this was the seventh annual event of this type at Strikers, and she was very appreciative of the support of the bowlers, their families and friends, as well as the community. Regional Chapter Coordinator for South Central North Carolina Amy Vanwyk was on hand with an array of literature, handouts, stickers, and other information about services available in our region and throughout the state. “The Autism Society of North Carolina provides support and promotes opportunities that enhance the lives of individuals within the autism spectrum and their families,” stated Mrs. Vanwyk, whose office is in Fayetteville.
The Richmond Service League assisted with snacks, pizza, and door prizes. This group of busy and hard-working ladies included Dena Cook, Jan Stivers, Haven Harrelson, Mandy Allen, and Chrissy Smith-Hudson. Colorful personalized t-shirts were worn by many of the bowling teams; these included Team Emery, Mya’s Puzzle Pieces, and Team Scott.
Linda and Johnny Benoist are the great-grandparents of Emery, a beautiful two-year old girl wearing a big pink ribbon in her hair and a t-shirt reading “Love Doesn’t Need Words.” She enjoyed the pepperoni pizza and wasn’t at all hesitant about exploring the bowling center and making new friends. Emery attends Sandhills Children’s Center and her great-grandparents spoke highly of the school and the services she receives there. Bowlers on Team Emery wore turquoise blue t-shirts with white puzzle pieces.
Mya Messer, a 14-year-old at Rockingham Middle School, was supported by a group of friends from Trinity Manufacturing, where her mother Maria works. These bowlers wore Carolina blue t-shirts that were decorated with Crayola crayons on the front and the words “Mya’s Puzzle Pieces” on the sleeve. Mya participates in the Special Olympics, including bowling, bocce, and track, at her school.
Another lively group of bowlers was Team Alexander, for Rockingham Middle School student Alexander Carr. His father John Carr shared that Alexander will be attending Camp Royall beginning June 24 for the third year. This is a summer camp experience which began in 1997 in Moncure, NC, and is owned and operated by the Autism Society of North Carolina, serving more than 2,000 people annually. Alexander’s sisters Lianna and Mary Jane and brother Nicolai were on the team, as well as his mother Adelaida. Richmond Raider Justyce Stevenson rounded out the group.
As the evening drew to a close, door prizes were awarded to the children, who were delighted with the colorful buckets of toys and stuffed animals. Emily Tucker thanked those who supported the fundraiser.
For further information about the Autism Society of North Carolina and services available in the area, go to www.autismsociety-nc.org. You can also contact Amy VanWyk, Regional Chapter Coordinator at 800-442-2762, extension 3031.
