The object of bowling is to knock down a set of pens, but later this month at Meadow Lanes Bowling Alley in Wellington the object is to knock down muscular dystrophy
The 7th Annual Michael Day Benefit will take place Friday and Saturday, August 27-28 at Wellington’s bowling alley. Michael Day was a life long resident of Wellington who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at age 5. He passed away in 2003, the first benefit was held in 2004.
"That year we raised about $2,000 and of course it's grown every single year," said Day’s sister and event organizer Stormie Higginbotham. "Last year we raised over $12,500."
Not that Higginbotham needed more reason to raise money for the fight against MD, but in 2005 that’s what her family faced.
"After we started doing it in 2005,” Higginbotham explained, “we found out that my son Ethan has Duchenne muscular dystrophy also, which is the same thing my brother had."
The benefit begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27 with a Texax Hold’em Poker Tournament at the bowling alley. Players must reserve a spot for the tournament if they hope to play for the $1,000 grand prize.
There will be raffle drawings for many prizes including a 32” flat screen television from Wal-Mart. Bowling gets underway on Saturday, Aug. 28. From noon to midnight, the special is three games for $10. Neives tacos will be available that day from noon to 4 p.m. There is much more happening on the 28th including the outdoor concert and beer garden.
"I'm excited that this year we have three different kinds of bands...we have a country band, a blues band and then we have a rock and roll band," Higginbotham said. "So I'm really looking forward to that part of the event." A donation is the price of admission. There will also be a raffle for four tickets to the September 19 Dallas Cowboy football game verses the Chichago Bears.
"It's 11 rows from the field, they're awesome seats," Higginbotham said. "The parking pass is right next to the new Cowboy's stadium." Tickets are $5 a piece or 5 tickets for $20.
To register for the poker tournament, sponsor a bowling lane, or for more information call Meadow Lanes at 326-5441 or e-mail meadowlanes@sutv.com.
"It's just amazing how Wellington has supported us these through all these 7 years," Higginbotham said. "They're just really nice and willing to help us."
