While there were plenty of strikes, spares, gutter balls and laughs all around, the pins were knocked down with a greater purpose during Thursday's 49ers Bowl for Youth event at Sea Bowl in Pacifica.
The multi-faceted event -- a partnership between the San Francisco 49ers Foundation, the Bayview Hunters Point YMCA and the Simon Youth Foundation -- raised funds to support at-risk youth in the Bay Area.
Over 250 guests, sponsors and VIPs were treated to an evening of fun and friendly competition as 49ers legends took their athletic skills to the lanes. Participants teamed up with 49ers alumni, including Dwight Clark, Jesse Sapolu, Keena Turner, Steve Bono, Guy McIntyre, Dennis Brown, Dave Fiore, Allan Kennedy, J.J. Stokes, Greg Clark, Jamie Williams, Eason Ramson, Tim Anderson, and Ron Heller. Various members of the 49ers coaching staff – including Bobby Engram and Jim Leavitt, ownership and front office were also on hand to join in the fun.
The San Francisco 49ers Foundation, Bayview Hunters Point YMCA and the Simon Youth Foundation teamed up to tackled raising funds for at-risk funds in the Bay Area Thrusday at the .
Over 250 guests who paid hefty ticket prices bowled alongside 49ers alumnus to keep kids “Safe, On Track, and In School”.
“We are hoping to raise about 200,000” said Gina Fromer, Bayview-Hunters Point YMCA’s Executive Director at the event. “A lot of the 49ers like to bowl so we thought this would be a great fundraiser.”
There was a buffet with a wide variety of appetizers and entrées, cupcakes donated by Cako Bakery and wine tasting hosted by Three Monkeys Wine and Papapietro Perry Winery. Along with these treats there was a silent auction and a raffle.
“There is some great stuff, I just started looking,” said Dwight Clark, alumnus of the San Francisco 49ers, who had just bid on a trip to Turtle Bay in Hawaii.
The silent auction included gifts ranging in value from $100 for Lucasfilm collectibles to $2,500 for a trip to the Bahamas.
While some guests bid on getaways, autographed jerseys, footballs and baseballs, others prepared for the bowling tournament.
"I was a professional bowler in the past," said 49ers photographer Tarrell LLoyd. "Maybe I shouldn't have said anything," he added. Guests were anxious to see Lloyd's skills.
Competition on the lanes was fierce, but in the end it was Keena Turner that scored the highest. Dave Fiore, another alumnus of the 49ers, was on the team with the highest scoring average of 148, however.
Alumni players Dwight Clark, Jesse Sapolu, Keena Turner, Steve Bono, Guy McIntyre, Dennis Brown, Dave Fiore, Allan Kennedy, J.J. Stokes, Greg Clark, Jamie Williams, Eason Ramson, Tim Anderson, and Ron Heller attended the event. Members of the 49ers coaching staff including Bobby Engram and Jim Leavitt were present at the event, as were President of the 49ers John York, celebrity bowler Tony Reyes and KTVU’s weekend sports anchor Joe Fonzi. No current 49ers players were there.
“It was everything we expected and much more," said Alicia Meekes, volunteer and employee of the YMCA.
