Ability Bowl funding will support a variety of programs and services offered by Saskabilities
Proceeds from the Superhero Bowl themed Ability Bowl 2020 will have a year long impact on programs and services delivered by Saskabilities in Swift Current.
The 33rd annual Ability Bowl is set for Saturday, April 25 at Frontier Lanes, and event organizers are hoping for another successful fundraiser in order to impact the lives of participants of Saskabilities programming.
Last year’s Ability Bowl raised $128,000 and easily surpassed their $85,000 goal. They are aiming for a $100,000 fundraising target in 2020.
“It’s a lofty goal but we’ve been really fortunate to have great generosity from across Southwest Saskatchewan - not just in the city - from across the region. And we’re pretty confident that people understand the importance of being inclusive and supporting great programs like the one we’re launching here today,” explained Candace Toma, Community Relations Coordinator for Saskabilities Swift Current.
Teams can register on-line at abilitybowl.ca, and new this year is the ability to collect pledges via a link on the website. Bowler packages will be available this week for participants to collect pledges in person.
Saskabilities is also selling tickets for a Progressive 50/50 draw will hopefully raise $10,000 for Saskabilities, with one lucky ticket holder taking home the other half of the prize. These $2 tickets will be sold at a variety of venues over the coming weeks.
Organizers are anticipating a strong turnout of teams this year thanks to the Superhero Bowl themed event.
“Get your cape. Get your mask. Get your alter ego. Get a phone booth if you need to change into it,” Toma chuckled.
“The way that we look at it is everybody is a superhero. Just everybody has a different kind of superpower. And we like to celebrate that.”
Information on Ability Bowl can be found at abilitybowl.ca or by emailing abilitybowl@saskabilities. ca.
Ability Bowl proceeds will be supporting a trio of program areas, the annual Summer Fun Program, Camp Easter Seal, along with the SLYP-OUT (Social Leisure Youth Program) which was formally unveiled this past Wednesday.
“It’s a continuation of our Summer Fun Program. So it provides programs to children and youth age 6 to 22, experiencing disability, to connect with and create social connections, meaningful experiences in the community with their peers,” noted Saskabilities Swift Current Program Manager Jayda Watson.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for young people experiencing disabilty to have the same social, community opportunities as their peers, while receiving added support from qualified Saskabilities staff.”
The program has been in operation since early fall, but they had a program launch celebration on
January 29 with a Wii Party.
SLYP-OUT participants have been regularly attending Swift Current Bronco games, attending events at the Lyric Theatre, and participating in other outings.
“It’s right now running about one to two times a month based on different things that are happening in the community and the interest of individuals that are in the program. We try to match around interests and what’s happening.”
There are approximately 15 participants in the program but they are still taking in individuals who are interested.
“Without the support that we get from the community, that we’re very grateful to have, we wouldn’t be able to have new initiatives such as SLYP-OUT start up. So we really do rely on the community and those donations, the sponsors such as ACT/UCT, to make these initiatives happen,” Watson added.
Jude Schuetz, who was in attendance with his mother Barb Schuetz, has participated in all three programs. His mom explained that all three offerings have been beneficial.
“I really like being able to have him introduced to Summer Fun and SLYP Out and Camp Easter Seal to get him part of the group and other people like him.”
“I kind of want to get started when Jude’s younger, and it was really nice last year in Summer Fun, everyone who was in Summer Fun in his age group were all classmates to be because he started at the Comp this year in Grade 9.”
His participation at Camp Easter Seal, Saskatchewan’s only barrier free camp, has also been a positive opportunity.
“It’s an amazing camp and I’m very thankful that a camp is made for them in their chairs and all that goes with that.”
The Ability Bowl’s King Pin Sponsor for the second year is a row is Swift Current’s ACT/UCT Club. They are happy to be involved with the fundraiser for another year.
“I had a tour of the facility and I didn’t know it was that extensive. I think our money is going to the right place,” admitted President Larry Hahn.