Maple Family Centers presents $75k check to three local veterans’s charities
Maple Family Centers hosted its BVL Tournament of Champions at Maple Lanes RVC in Rockville Centre on June 7. The annual event benefitted Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL), a national charity that supports local recreational therapy programs for America’s veteran and active-duty service men and women. During the tournament’s opening ceremonies, Maple Family Centers presented a total of $75,000 to three Long Island-based veterans’ organizations.
Maple presented $50,000 to Long Island State Veterans Home, a 350-bed skilled nursing facility that also provides adult day healthcare and rehabilitation services for veterans and their families. Maple is a long-time supporter of the organization, who will apply this most recent donation to its Courtyard Project, a major outdoor renovation.
Maple also donated $20,000 to Long Beach Waterfront Warriors, a volunteer-driven charity that brings veterans – including Walter Reed National Military Medical Center residents – and their families to Long Beach for an all-expenses-paid week-long vacation. Finally, Hooks for Heroes, an Island Park-based charity that brings veterans on charter fishing trips, was awarded $5,000.
All adult league bowlers at Maple’s three New York area bowling centers – in Rockville Centre, Coram and Flushing – were invited to compete for the tournament by making a $5 donation to BVL. Many bowlers made weekly donations, incentivized by Maple Family Centers, which gave them a free practice game and entered them into weekly prize drawings for each $5 contribution. In total, there were more than 5,000 individual donations, and the 150 top scorers earned a spot in the three-game tournament (with handicap).
The grand champion was Sal Lauretta, who bowls out of Maple’s Coram Country Lanes. He received a cash prize and a free year of bowling. Overall, the top 10 scorers won cash prizes. There were also additional contests and prizes, including donated bowling equipment and apparel, and raffles, ensuring many bowlers went home with something.
“Congratulations to Sal and all the winners and participants. It was a great day at the lanes, and we were very proud to present $75,000 to support the work of three Long Island organizations whose therapeutic recreation programs improve the lives of our nation’s heroes,” said John LaSpina, President of Maple Family Centers. “These donations would not be possible without the generous support of Maple bowlers, who understand our company’s mission to brighten the lives of veterans every day and who enthusiastically contribute to this cause.”
Over the years, Maple Family Centers has raised more than $850,000 for veterans’ charities through BVL, including more than $250,000 for Long Island State Veterans Home.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to the LaSpina family and Maple Family Centers for their generous donation to the Long Island State Veterans Home,” said Fred S. Sganga, FACHE, Executive Director of the Long Island State Veterans Home. “Their unwavering support significantly enhances both the quality of life and the quality of care for our nation’s veterans. The LaSpina family’s commitment to our veterans is truly commendable, and we are immensely grateful for their dedication to ensuring our heroes receive the respect and care they deserve.”
About Maple Family Centers
Providing fun for friends and families since 1960, Maple Family Centers consists of five family-owned bowling centers including Coram Country Lanes in Coram, N.Y.; Maple Lanes RVC in Rockville Centre, N.Y.; Jib Lanes in Flushing, N.Y.; Maple Lanes Countryside in Clearwater, Fla.; and Maple Lanes Lakeland in Lakeland, Fla. A third-generation family business owned and operated by the LaSpina family, Maple Family Centers is all about entertaining the community and building relationships. The LaSpina family share their joy of bowling with families and sports enthusiasts and lead MFC in supporting the needs of the community by creating fundraising opportunities for nonprofit agencies.
