Bowling for Bears will hold its annual bowling fundraiser this coming Sunday, December 5, from 11 am to 1 pm at the Cherry Hill Playdrome. Bowling for Bears is a non-profit organization founded by Jenny Silver (’14) to provide teddy bears as holiday gifts for children in need.

Anyone who raises a minimum of $8—the cost of one bear—can partake in two hours of free bowling and free food. Bowling, pizza, hoagies, cake, cookies, beverages, snacks are all being donated by corporate sponsors. T-shirts will be given to the first 150 bowlers.

The event will also feature a silent auction. Items include restaurant certificates from The Pop Shop, Maggiano’s, Redstone, California Pizza Kitchen, Di Bruno Bros., and Pietro’s; gift certificates from Jay Roberts, Jan’s Boutique, Sweet & Sassy, and Color Me Mine; and sports memorabilia from the Eagles, Flyers, Devils and Giants.

Participants are encouraged to get sponsors for the event. Bowlers who get 12 or more sponsors will be recognized as “lane sponsors” and will receive special thank-you gifts.

Sponsor sheets are available at the organization’s website, www.bowlingforbears.org, and should be filled out and brought to the event with the money that each bowler raises. Donations can also be sent through the website or to the address provided there. All proceeds go directly towards purchasing bears.

“I want each year to be better than the last,” said Silver. Over the past six holiday seasons, she has raised over $43,000, and has donated more than 5,600 bears.

This year, she aims to provide a bear to every child at The Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania, St. Christopher’s Hospital, DuPont Hospital in Delaware, Cooper University hospital, and the Camden Rescue mission, an organization that holds an annual holiday party for impoverished children. Additional proceeds will go towards purchasing bears for children in homeless shelters and other local underprivileged children.

Silver said, “It makes the child[ren in need] feel good knowing that someone cares about them and is thinking of them.”

Build-a-Bear sells the bears to Bowling for Bears at a discount, and donates many bears.  This year, Build-a-Bear has already sent 1,000 bears to Silver’s home.  She also received a $1,000 grant from the Do Something Organization, which will allow her to purchase 125 more bears.

“Everyone seemed very enthusiastic about getting involved with Bowling for Bears,” said Silver.  To get involved, attend the next meeting in B247 on Thursday, December 2 and come to the annual Bowling for Bears event on December 5.