Elks Lodge donates use of facility to raise money for Connecting for Kids

Carlos Mendoza high fives his son, Michael Mendoza, at the event.

Lakewood Elks Lodge #1350 once again generously donated the use of its facility at 24350 Center Ridge Road in Westlake to Connecting for Kids for a bowling fundraiser, which raised more than $5,000 for the Westlake-based nonprofit. In all, 60 bowlers participated in the event held on April 23. All funds raised will allow Connecting for Kids to further its mission of educating and supporting local families.

“The bowling event last year was such a success that we jumped at the chance to do it again,” said Mike Sheehan, Exalted Ruler of the Lakewood Elks Lodge #1350. “It is a win-win for all involved as our Elks members can combine their love of bowling with the opportunity to raise money and help out a local organization that does so much for families in our community.”

According to Sarah Rintamaki, Executive Director of Connecting for Kids, the Lodge is the perfect place to hold this event because of the accommodations it provides to children with disabilities. “Many of our families would be hesitant to take their child bowling at a large facility because the crowds and noise can be overwhelming for some. With its small size, wheelchair-accessible lanes and bowling assist ramps, the Elks facility provides a safe space for families to have fun on their own terms in a judgment-free zone,” she said.

The bowling fundraiser is just one in a series of events that Connecting for Kids has partnered with Lakewood Elks Lodge #1350 on this year including a poker tournament and the creation of 250 resource bags for spring resource fairs. 

Lorilynn Wolf

Lorilynn Wolf serves as the Communications Director for Connecting for Kids.

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Volume 14, Issue 12, Posted 10:03 AM, 06.21.2022