Benefit Bowling Tournament hits the alleys March 7

The 16th annual Bowling Benefit Tournament for the Whitman County Humane Society and NW Cancer Foundation of Hope will be held Saturday, March 7, starting at 11 a.m at Zeppoz in Pullman.

Starting in 2004, Ron and Heather Morgan decided they wanted to do something to help the local humane society because of their dog, Lucy.

“My wife and I wanted to run a community event because we felt it was the right thing to do and we love animals,” Morgan said.

According to Benefit Bowling website, the Morgans added the Light a Candle Foundation through Gritman Medical in 2012 to receive proceeds from the event.

In 2018, the same people who started Light a Candle began NW Cancer Foundation of Hope which did the same services as Light a Candle. The Benefit Bowling Tournament began helping NW Cancer Foundation of Hope that same year.

This foundation helps cancer patients in Whitman and Latah counties with expenses that insurance doesn't cover, such as gas cards, paying an electric bill, etc.

“To date we have raised over $125,000 for these two wonderful charities,” Morgan said.

Within the 15 years of this event, $15,636 has been raised for NW Cancer Foundation of Hope, $35,909 for Light a Candle and $74,056 for the Whitman County Humane Society.

“This event is always so successful and we are so thankful for them putting this on every year,” said Ashley Phelps, director of shelter operations at the Whitman County Humane Society. “We know first hand how much effort fundraisers like this take, as we're putting on our Fur Ball and Yappy Hour event this weekend, and we are always so grateful when people take this on to help us out.”

Phelps mentioned that the funds from this event will go into the humane society's general fund. This fund pays for animal vaccines and routine care, food, supplies, staff salaries and building maintenance.

“This is what keeps our doors open and animals healthy,” Phelps said. “Since we are a private shelter, we do not receive government funding. All of our funding is from donations, contracts with cities that bring us animals, adoptions/stray fees and fundraisers like these.”

While the event will start at 11 a.m., sign-ups will begin at 10 a.m. The tournament will be nine-pin no-tap format, with six games, scotch doubles.

“There is not a limit to the number of teams that will bowl and if they don't have a partner they can show up and we will find a partner for them,” Morgan said.

Along with the bowling tournament, there will also be a live and silent auction. Door prizes are given throughout the event.

Morgan added that if there is anyone in the community that would like to donate something or has any additional questions they can always call him at 208-210-1737.

To view current items that will be up for auction visit htrmorgan.wixsite.com/morganfamily.

The cost per two-person team is $50. Registration can be done either in person, at Zeppoz, called into Ron and Heather Morgan at 208-310-1737 or emailed to htrmorgan@outlook.com.

“Heather and I are very passionate about this, we love animals and we hate cancer,” Morgan said.