Maple Family Centers owners John, Peter and Joe LaSpina, along with their partners Bill DeCicco, Sr. and Bill DeCicco, Jr., joined forces to host the 3rd Annual “Bowlers to Veterans” Tournament on May 20 at Farmingdale Lanes. The event was the bowling center’s biggest yet, with 200 people participating.
The event benefits Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL), founded in 1942. Since then, bowling centers and bowlers have helped raised nearly $30 million dollars which help provide recreational and therapeutic programs and services to boost morale and brighten spirits.
Tournament champion Steve Bermudez won an all-expenses-paid trip to Bowl Expo in June. He will accompany the LaSpinas and DeCiccos to present a check to the BVL, on behalf of Maple Family Centers for $35,000 bringing the three-year total to $75,000 the highest in the industry.
Proceeds are received through in-league tournament entry fees, raffles on new bowling equipment, a silent auction at the tournament finals and private donations. All proceeds go to the BVL.
“John LaSpina and his family, through Maple Family Centers, are widely regarded within the bowling industry as being leaders,” said BVL Chair Darlene Baker. “However, in the BVL family, they are truly larger than life. They have taken up the BVL cause—to support those heroes who have served our country—and led by example; single-handedly, the Maple Family Centers contribution to the BVL through their annual tournament dominates all other bowling center contributions.”
BVL has raised nearly $30 million to provide recreational and therapeutic programs and services which help boost morale and brighten spirits. More than 500 active duty units have a portable carpet-bowling lane at their disposal where they can step away from the stress of service and have fun with their comrades.
Both active duty units and veterans who may be in VA hospitals or organizations in local cities or communities experience the benefits of this charitable organization and large donations.
