After pandemic break, Burrell Bowl-a-thon returns this weekend to benefit education

After taking off two years during the pandemic, Burrell Bowl-a-Thon rolls again Sunday at Wildlife Lanes in Lower Burrell.

The fundraising event is from 1 to 4 p.m. and is open to Burrell School District families and friends.

Prizes and a 50-50 raffle will add to the festivities.

Four-person teams can reserve a lane for $90. Admission for a bowler without a team is $25. Admission prices cover all bowling and shoe rental. Children younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Proceeds will benefit the Burrell Education Foundation, which awards student scholarships and mini-grants for teachers.

“It’s a fun, family-friendly event, and you don’t need any skill to bowl,” said Brian Ferra, principal of Burrell’s Huston Middle School and executive director of the Burrell Education Foundation.

The event is one of two large annual fundraisers for the foundation.

“It’s important to be able to provide scholarships to graduating students and mini-grants to our teachers,” Ferra said.

Last year, the foundation awarded five $1,000 scholarships to students and $8,000 in mini-grants to teachers.

The grants pay for everything from license fees for the district’s therapy dogs, to manipulatives for class projects, to activities related to STEAM (the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and math).

Oftentimes, these grants pay for items that students use but aren’t budgeted for specific programs and classes, Ferra said.

Founded in 1999, the Burrell Education Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding, enriching and enhancing opportunities for Burrell students and residents. The board’s directors work with the district’s educators to identify opportunities.