Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA — United Way of Santa Barbara County’s (UWSBC) Young Leaders Society donned their goofiest get ups and hit the lanes for their biggest United We Bowl fundraiser ever, raising more than $6,000 in support of youth education.
More than 120 attended the 8th annual event at Zodo’s Bowling and Beyond — 5925 Calle Real, Goleta. All proceeds raised will support Young Leader Society’s upcoming 8th Annual “United We Read” event and other valuable community programs.
“It’s not just giving money; it’s very personal,” said Ian Monsma, YLS Executive Committee Co-Chair. “I love that I am able to give back to my community in a meaningful way and be part of that. And the people involved are all so great. It doesn’t feel like work at all.”
Participants signed up as teams and individually to compete in the lively bowl-a-thon, filling up 21 lanes. The event featured costumes, raffle prizes and more.
“United We Bowl has been successful each year, but I was overwhelmed to see the crowd and their enthusiasm this year in particular,” said Steve Ortiz, President & CEO of United Way of Santa Barbara County. “It was an amazing evening, but the best part is that it is all in support of the children we serve.”
United We Read is part of a larger effort spearheaded by United Way of Santa Barbara County focusing on reaching community-driven education goals. United We Read matches young professional volunteers with a class at a local elementary school to read a storybook together to improve students’ reading abilities and foster a greater enjoyment for books.
For more information, visit unitedwaysb.org.
About Young Leaders Society: Young Leaders Society (YLS) was formed to provide community involvement and personal development opportunities for young professionals. This unique and dynamic group offers its members multiple avenues to become involved with various United Way and community initiatives, to directly make a difference in people’s lives, and to ultimately become leaders in our community. For more information, please visit http://www.unitedwelead.org/
About United Way of Santa Barbara County: United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) has the unique and positive vision that “in our community, everyone has a hopeful future.” Since 1923, UWSBC has served Santa Barbara County community through funding, volunteer development, and by utilizing its own unique initiatives that involve dozens of local non-profit and public sector agencies. UWSBC’s local community driven Power of Partnership™ priorities help children, families & seniors with a focus on Education, Income and Health.