Pickwick Lanes in Burbank was the place to be on Nov. 3 for The Campbell Center (formerly GAR) 23rd Annual Bowl-A-Thon. More than 130 participants and guests participated in the event to raise funds for the organization. Among attendees were City of Glendale Councilwoman Paula Devine and child actor Rodney Allen Rippy, best known for his Jack In The Box commercials a few decades ago. Rippy is Big Brother to one of The Campbell Center’s clients whom he accompanied to the day’s activities.

Over the years, the fundraiser has become a much-anticipated tradition, helping to bring together bowlers and organization supporters from Glendale, Burbank, La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, Los Feliz and surrounding communities for an afternoon of food, fun and fundraising. Funds raised helped The Campbell Center to continue providing its quality programs and services for its developmentally disabled client population.

The 17 participating bowling teams were each matched with one of The Campbell Center’s clients and competed for several awards, including first place team trophy, first, second and third place male and female trophies, first place male client and first place female client medallions – all in a spirit of camaraderie and goodwill. Many of The Campbell Center clients are excellent bowlers and compete in the Special Olympics bowling tournament.

“Every year I can hardly wait for this bowl-a-thon because it is so much fun and gives me the chance to socialize with my friends and our supporters,” said Gregory J., a client of The Campbell Center since 1989 and an accomplished bowler.

This year’s sponsors included the Spot Gourmet, the Glendale Police Officers Association, Halo Branded Solutions and PMI Screen Printing Studio that donated the event T-shirts.

Held on the first Sunday in November, the 2015 bowl-a-thon is scheduled for Nov. 1 at Pickwick Lanes in Burbank. For information on sponsorship and team registration, contact Rita Hopkins, Foundation director, at (818) 242-2434, ext. 312 or email rita@thecampbell.org.

For more information about The Campbell Center, visit www.TheCampbell.org.