I was that young kid back in the 60s who tried to end the Vietnam War. I watched as my friends went off to war and watched as some of them came back and we went to their funerals. Others came back wounded in ways that were unimaginable to my youthful innocence.
Sometimes, even though I was 4F because of a meniscus tear and operation (back then, it was a lot more serious then today) that took months to heal, I wish I would have gone with my buddies; maybe I could have saved them in some ways; but that is just wishful thinking so many years later.
Since I have been consulting to BVL, I have gotten deeper and deeper into the emotional fabric of this organization. I have learned how BVL brightens the lives of our wounded and active duty vets. It would take me pages and pages to explain all the good they do. Please trust me on this. They really do!
Here is a 1-minute video about how I feel about BVL and why I say, “I AM BVL” You can watch all of us (4 awesome BVL people to the core) or just me. Scroll down and you will find me.
However, here is what BVL can do for you without costing you a penny.
I know your open play is slower.
I know my bowling center in Toledo is up in league bowlers, with many thanks to my on site collaborator, Jim Nyhan. However, our open play has softened up a bit as well. We can attribute that to many variables
- Lane availability – 50% limitation of capacity
- Every other lane bowling so we have fewer open play lanes to sell
- 10pm curfew on selling alcohol (at least in Ohio)
- People just being timid to come out – I think this is the real reason
- Lack of birthday parties or corporate parties – again timidity
- Netflix – we have gotten all too comfortable with our Video companion
- The “mask” issue – who really likes it anyway?
- People not being able to socialize the way they used to – And isn’t that what bowling is really all about for the open play bowler
In my heart, I know people are generous, open, giving and have reverent sympathy for those who fought our wars to protect our freedom and came home severely bruised in body and mind (PTSD is now one of the leading ailments of returning vets!)
So here is what I am asking you do, during BVL Month in America (November.Please make a pledge to run one event, run one tournament or run a simple open play event.
Yeah, it’s to help raise money for BVL, but it’s also to help YOU generate some ADDITIONAL OPEN PLAY VISITS. PEOPLE WILL RESPOND TO FUND RAISERS. IT WILL OVERCOME MANY OF THE BARRIERS TO COMING INTO THE CENTER.
If you need some “done-for – you- open play BVL promos or other goodies, call me at 516 359 4874 or email me at fredkaplowitz@gmail.com. Or contact our Executive Director, Mary Harrar at mary@bvl.org or call her at 703 934 6039 for more information as well.
Within the next few weeks, I will be talking to you some more about BVL and giving you tips on how to utilize BVL – its bowling’s oldest and own charity – to get more lineage, revenue and profits.
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