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ARCA Bowl-A-Thon gets beach party on
Mayor Gregg Hull rolls for a strike at ARCA Bowl-A-Thon June 7 during friendly Mayors on Strike competition.
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RIO RANCHO — The 14th annual ARCA Foundation Bowl-A-Thon June 7 at Tenpins & More was what people would expect from a joyous event to raise money for ARCA Opening Doors, an organization that helps people with intellectual, developmental and cognitive disabilities. There was laughter, fun and, of course, bowling.
Michelle Harmon, ARCA president and chief executive officer, got the group ready for the day of bowling with some inspiring words.
"The rules for today are as such: We want you to have a wonderful time. We want you to have a great time. We'd love to see some some strikes going on and laughter and really, really enjoy yourself," she said.
Steve Mackie had a few words to say as he begins his retirement from owning and operating Tenpins & More.
"We're going to raise a lot of money. We're hoping today to add $150,000 to the amount of money that we've raised over the last 13 years. That's going to bring it up to almost $1.5 million ... from a Bowl-A-Thon in a 24-lane center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico," he said.
He added that the 31 sponsors this year contributed more than $70,000 to the Bowl-A-Thon effort.
"Steve has been with us since day one 17 years ago. We're thankful for all that he's done, his support and dedication. Thank you for changing lives and we wish him the very best in his retirement," said Jennifer Greenwood, ARCA executive director and chief development officer.
Mackie also introduced his successors, Rob Ballog and Mike Fagan, to the crowd, adding that the Bowl-A-Thon will be around for years to come.
"And yes, I will enjoy retirement, as will my wife," he said.
Off microphone, Mackie pointed out a sign behind Tenpins' show counter. It reads, "Tenpins & More @ Rio Rancho is a proud supporter of Special Olympics chapters, ARCA and other Special Needs groups."
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The other aspect of the Bowl-A-Thon brings a friendly competition between New Mexico mayors called "Mayors on Strike."
This year, Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, Estancia Mayor Nathan Dial and Mountainair Mayor Peter Nieto participated. Hull explained why they do it.
"When I first came to this event several years ago, I was invited just to be here to kind of bring that community component into this wonderful event, this ARCA Bowl-A-Thon. It was really Bob Scanlon's vision along with Steve Mackie and a lot of others that had this really wonderful Bowl-A-Thon going on. I came here, and I said, 'Hey, this'll be really cool if we could get a bunch of mayors to come here and bowl with all these ARCA members and really bring our communities together to support an amazing organization,'" he said.
He explained it can be difficult to get mayors to go to the event because of busy schedules but that when they do show up they are grateful.
"We're always excited to have the mayors show up because it really shows how we come together as a state and as communities to support those individuals that that need our support. And ARCA is an amazing organization that really speaks to including everybody in our community, and making sure that we're all working together and having a great time raising money, raising awareness and quite honestly, just celebrating who we are as a community," he said.
He left it off with telling people to obey the number-one rule of the day, "Have fun."
The mayors' competition starts with them competing for first strike of the day. Hull not only got first strike, he also got two strikes in a row. He threw his fists up in triumph at the double.
The group had a ceremony for best score, best costume for the beach party theme and more. There was also a silent auction for vacations and local attractions.
