BLADENBORO — If Bladenboro Middle School Principal Randi Harrelson had gone to Lumberton Bowling Center to roll a game, she couldn’t have had a more perfect result than what she got recently.

It may not have been the elusive 300 game, but for Harrelson and her school, the $1,000 gift from the annual Kids Bowl Free summer program wlil prove even better.

“It’s awesome; we were totally surprised,” Harrelson said this week. “But at first, I thought it might be a prank.”

It wasn’t.

The gift is the result of an effort by KidsBowlFree.com, a program designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time during the summer.

Bladenboro Middle was one of several elementary and middles schools in Bladen and Robeson counties that Scott McLean, owner and operator of the Lumberton Bowling Center, entered for a random drawing that would award $1,000 to just 50 schools nationwide.

“It’s pretty neat that Bladenboro Middle was selected,” McLean said. “It’s totally random, but it’s good to see a local school get something like that.”

Harrelson agreed.

“We’re very appreciative because there’s always so much we try to do (for the students),” she said, “and fundraising can’t always cover it all.”

Harrelson said her School Improvement Team met on Monday to discuss how best to use the $1,000 gift.

A couple of the ideas discussed focused on a replacement computer monitor at the front desk for parental sign-ins and assisting the school’s Lady Bulldogs and Men’s academies with field trips.

McLean said he hopes to see even more youth from Bladen County coming over to bowl.

“We do a lot of business with Bladen County schools, especially in Bladenboro, so it’s a big part of our market,” he added. “I enjoy seeing the youth here bowling and having a good time — whether it’s in our leagues or just during open bowling.”

And who knows, there may just be a future 300 from one of them.

W. Curt Vincent can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.

Harrelson
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Entry submitted by Lumberton Bowling Center

W. Curt Vincent

cvincent@civitasmedia.com