Bowling for Backpacks Tuesday, July 27, 2010 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Park Tavern, 3401 Louisiana Ave. S., St. Louis Park, MN  55426

What is Bowling for Backpacks?
Bowling for Backpacks is a fund-raising event benefiting Operation Backpack, a Volunteers of America of Minnesota program that provides new backpacks and school supplies for low-income children and teens throughout the state of Minnesota.

Bowling for Backpacks begins with a commitment to organize a team of five to ten people who each individually collect at least $50 (the approximate cost of a backpack and supplies for one child) in donations from family, friends, and co-workers. Each bowler will receive a pledge form for tracking donations, and will be asked to bring their completed pledge form, along with all donations, to Park Tavern the day of the Bowling for Backpacks event.

All bowlers will receive unlimited bowling for three hours, shoe rental, appetizers, a gift bag, prizes, and more. Bowlers who raise over $75 in donations will also receive a special Bowling for Backpacks t-shirt. Prizes will be awarded for the highest scoring team, the team and individual with the most strikes, and the team and individual who collect the most donations, and all throughout the evening.
 
Why Participate in Bowling for Backpacks?
During this tough economic year, more kids than ever before will go back to school without the supplies they need. For low-income and homeless kids, who already feel different than their classmates, not having a new backpack and school supplies makes the first day of school just another reminder that they don’t fit in. Most of us can remember the excitement of going back to school each September. Bowling for Backpacks and the Operation Backpack program ensures more kids are able to experience that kind of excitement on the first day of school, by supplying them with brand new backpacks filled with all the school supplies they need.
 
Bowling for Backpacks is not only an opportunity to support a great cause, but it's also a great networking and team-building opportunity. It’s a chance to get to know your co-workers, meet some new friends, and have a great, fun time — all the while helping make a real difference in the life of a child in need.
 
How to Participate in Bowling for Backpacks:
 
Participating in Bowling for Backpacks is easy: (Please note, registration is not yet open.)

• Form teams of five to ten bowlers.  Each bowler collects a minimum of $50 in donations
• Ask family, friends, and co-workers to sponsor you.
  
• Collect donations and present with pledge form at the event.
  

 
Signing up for Bowling for Backpacks is also easy:  (Please note, registration is not yet open.)

• Register online as a “Team Captain” to hold a lane for your team(s) by (date to be determined).  Companies may sign up for multiple teams—online registration address
  
• Recruit four other people to be a part of your team.
  
• Hand out information packets and pledge forms to your team members.
  
• Complete the team registration worksheet and email, mail, or fax back to us by (date to be determined).
  

Questions? Contact Kristin Cook, if you have questions by calling 952-945-4039, or email her at kcook@voamn.org