Mesa - - - If you have ever tried to do fund raising for a charity, you know how difficult this can be at times. Especially with the way our economy was during the recession years of 2008 - 2012.
The last thing people wanted to deal with when they were enjoying themselves at a function, was someone coming up to them and asking them for a donation. During these years, you also didn't know if it was for a legitimate cause, or someone was trying to scam you out of a couple of bucks.
But, if you have ever bowled in a sanctioned league within the last 20 years or so, you know there are two charities that the USBC and their local associations through out the country are very passionate about.
Those being: 'The Bowl For The Cure' and 'The BVL'.
The annual fund raising drive for these charities usually start around November 1, and that is when you will start seeing association representatives show up at your favorite bowling center selling raffle tickets for the cause. League bowlers are only too happy to donate. Not only do these tickets give them a chance to win some money, but they also know the money they donate is going to a charity endorsed by the USBC.
Even though the Mesa Metropolitan Association (MMA), is not a big association and does not have the numbers a larger association such as Phoenix does. Its directors and volunteers still find a way to roll up their sleeves, and get the job done. These folks are very noticeable at the bowling centers within their jurisdiction. They wear their: red association shirts, have at least one roll of raffle tickets in their hand, and one bucket to deposit the tickets and cash into.
"We have been raising money for the BVL for many years. Starting when we were seperate associations at least 20 years ago. The national body (ABC, USBC), collected for the BVL, so we just jumped on the bandwagon," said MMA President Marcia Dault, on when her association got involved with the charity. "Yes, we did all of the centers. Each house rep was responsible for collecting money, and turning it back into the association."
The make up of the MMA Board of Directors, consist of: an association manager, a president, three vice presidents, and 11 directors. Each director is assigned a bowling center as its house rep. It is each house reps responsibility to show up at their center during the fund raising drive, and collect donations for the cause. The MMA has 13 centers it is responsible for. The newest one being Fat Cats.
"I know the vets look forward to bowling, because its good therapy for them. I don't think they promote the BVL themselves. They are the BVL," she said, on what the game of bowling does for the Vets. "The Vets have given us our way of life, and the bowling community says 'thank you'".
The VA cancelled the program locally two years ago, but it has started up again recently at Brunswick Zone in Mesa. There are about 20 Vets who bowl in the program. The Regional Therapy Department at the VA Hospital is in charge of putting the program together.
"I have seen the Vets bowl, and they are a very happy group when they are bowling together," the president said, of the Vets. "We have the best bunch of bowlers within our association."
The Vets have only bowled once at Brunswick Mesa. Due to some of the travel constraints put on the Vets, they are now bowling at AMF Christown.
Two of the MMA's volunteers who you will see a lot of at their bowling centers during the fund raising drive. Is Bob Dault, Marcia's husband, and Gayle Powers. Each has a different reason why they enjoy doing it. One, is because they both love doing it. And, Gayle had family members serve in the military.
"I have been a volunteer with the MMA since 2005. I have helped raise funds for the BVL for at least 15 years," she said, on why she helps collect for the charities. "All the men in my family are Vets, so I have always loved the military. Iwas an Army brat, and when I got married, it was to a military man. My brothers, a nephew, and a few cousins are all Vets."
The tenpinexpress.com spent a day helping Gayle and Bob sell 50/50 tickets on a Thursday at BZM. It is the busiest day of the week at the center, and it has a full house at 11 am, and again at 6:30 pm. They are both very good in doing this, and they also have it down to a science.
"We have always done the BVL at all the centers. The MVWBA started the BVL as their charity. I was a director on the MVWBA for 12 years, and worked on the BVL most of that time," said Gayle, of the early years. "The Vets had a bowling league before we ever started bowling with them. They used to bowl against all the VA hospitals in the USA."
She too, has also noticed what the game of bowling has done for them.
"They always seemed very happy to see us, when we bowled with them. Some of the Vets are very outgoing, and some are very quiet," she said, on when the Vets Bowl. "The funds raised go to the Recreational Therapy Department. That is the only department that the government doesn't subsidize. The MMA has the best bowlers, and they are always generous. I am proud to be a member of this organization."
Thanks Sarge For Your Service, And Being Involved In The Gam Bowling.
"I volunteered to serve in the military, because it was an easy thing for me to do. It was easy for me to do, because my uncle, Clark Valentine, was my recruiter, and he was in the Army," said East Valley Vet, Joel York. "I have members of my family that also served in all the branches, including the Coast Guard. My son served both in the US Army, and the US Marine Corp. My father, Robert York, was one member of my family that was not too happy about me joining the service right out of high school."
Following his graduation from basic training, Mr. York, would then go to Ft. Belvoir Virginia where he would train as a heavy equipment mechanic, and then he would be deployed to Germany for the next five-and-a-half years for his first deployment.
"Honestly, I did not know what to expect," he said, of his basic training experience. "Basic training was a lot of hard work with very little sleep. I was in good shape, and had no problem getting through basic training."
For his first deployment, Mr. York, was a Combat Engineer where he worked on heavy equipment.
"Being in Germany for five-and-a-half-years, was a great learning experience for me," he said, on being in a foreign country for the first time. "It was a great learning experience. I had to learn to speak their language, learn how to use their currency, and I learned about the history of the country. I served in: Stuttgart, Munich, and Bad Tolz. The largest project I was part of as a combat engineer, was building a bridge across the Rhine River."
While in Germany, Mr. York went though training to become an air borne paratrooper, in Nuremberg, Germany., after which he was accepted in the US Army Special Forces (Green Berets).
When his first deployment ended in Germany, Mr. York, would then return to the states for seven months. During his time back in the states, he was assigned to Ft. Hood Texas, where he was an air borne recruiter.
Being a member of the Green Beret's, meant you were among the best of the best. Training was a lot harder, extremely detailed and it was on going. Mr. York, was an explosives expert in the Special Forces. After his seven months in Texas, Mr. York was re-assigned to Vietnam. He was in Vietnam from November 1965 to October 1967.
"There was nothing really special about my assignment in Vietnam. When I first arrived in the country, we were assigned as advisors. In the end, it turned out that we were no longer advisors, but actual combatants. It turned out to be a really different situation for me," he said, of Vietnam. "When dealing with explosives, I was always teamed up with someone, who was more experienced than I was. Absolutely, it was a more violent situation than I anticipated. When the enemy is shooting at you, you learn how to adjust to the situation real quick."
Looking back at American history now, some 50 years later, Mr. York, still questions the thought process when it comes time for the United States to get involved in other countries' conflicts around the world.
"We never declared war on North Vietnam. We needed to take care of our own back yard first. Even back then, we had enough problems going on in the United States we could have taken care of, rather than getting involved in Vietnam and trying to take care of that country's problems.
"When we came home from Vietnam, people were throwing rocks at us and calling us baby killers," he added. "The reception of the troops who had served this country was not good at all. A few of us served. A few ran to Canada to keep from serving. But, I appreciate those who served. They are all my brothers."
He also said that time does heal all wounds, and that he really appreciates it when someone thanks him for his service.
"It was wonderful, and it makes you feel appreciated for your service," he said, of the ceremony prior to the start of the Wednesday Nighters Bowling League on Nov 11 at BZM. "Its very important to me, that Vets should have the ability to enjoy a certain part of their life."
Mr. York has been married to his wife Pamela, for 24 years. She has a son from a previous marriage. He has a son and daughter from a previous marriage as well. They both have two grandchildren. He retired from the service with the rank of a Staff Sargent E6. He, too, has a memorable moment that he was proud of from serving in Vietnam.
"My most memorable moment in Vietnam, was saving a little girl from a sniper attack," he remembers. "It wasn't too hard adjusting to life in the states after I served there. PTSD didn't exist then, and I was told the 'battle fatigue' would wear off eventually. I served a total of 18 1/2 years.
"After the military, I taught martial arts for 20 years," he added. "I also: worked at U Haul, owned two auto repair shops, drove a truck for Yellow Frieght, and worked for the Postal Service, where I retired."
Sarge first got involved in bowling in 1956, when he was a pinboy at Percy Jones Army Hospital, and has been part of the game ever since.
"Being a pinboy was really exciting. You had to be really fast setting pins, or you would get hit with one," he said, of his first experience in the game. "I bowled in the BVL league a long time ago. It was nice. It gave me, and the other Vets a chance to talk to each other on the same level. Because we have been there, and done that."
He has been bowling in leagues in the Valley for the last 20 years. His highest average is 227, and he has 14 perfect games. His highest series was a 799.
"I like the competition the game of bowling has provided for myself and against others," he said, of the game."And all of the friendships I have made among other bowlers."
He is a member of American Legion Post 35. And he is also a Patriot Guard Rider and a member of the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association.
Mesa Bowling News - February 17, 2016