LifeTown Rolls into The Future
Hall of Fame Bowlers Celebrate New Therapeutic Bowling Center
A bowling ball barreled down the alley, pins flying upon impact. Cheers exploded from a group of wide-eyed LifeTown participants. The joy was palpable as a crowd gathered on Wednesday, January 22 to celebrate the grand opening of LifeTown’s newest attraction – a state-of-the-art, therapeutic bowling center.
It’s impossible to grasp all the unique opportunities LifeTown brings to the community without stepping through its doors. The addition of a gorgeous bowling center elevates the already impressive roster of amenities. Bowling’s adaptability allows individuals of all abilities to participate, fostering social connection and increasing self-esteem. The three-lane alley is specifically designed to accommodate neurodiverse individuals and their families.
“From the moment we agreed to help make this dream into a reality, it’s been a real pleasure seeing everything take shape,” said Jody Friedman. Jody and her husband, Bruce Friedman, were key supporters of the Bowling Center initiative. “Bowling at LifeTown is not just something that the special needs community will enjoy. It will also be a gathering place for the volunteers who serve the community, their families, and friends of Friendship Circle and LifeTown.”
The center’s grand opening was made even more exceptional by two special guests – Hall of Fame bowlers Parker Bohn III and Johnny Petraglia. To kick off the night, the legendary athletes joined LifeTown’s adult participants for an exclusive bowling session. The eager group was thrilled to learn some tips and share the lanes with two of the most decorated icons in the sport.
“You can bowl if you’re two and you can bowl if you’re one hundred and two,” said Bohn III after bowling strikes with LifeTown’s adult participants. “We are all built differently. We are all, more importantly, our own individual. The smiles that are going to be put on faces, they will last for a lifetime,” he continued as he watched excited guests try out the lanes. “We’re all a kid at heart and being right here is near and dear to my heart.”
For 18 months, a team of dedicated professionals and Friendship Circle supporters worked tirelessly to bring the vision to life.
“Anything that LifeTown does, they do for the right reasons,” said Livingston Mayor, Edward Meinhardt. “It’s beautiful and I am thrilled to help them inaugurate and cut the ribbon.”
The center includes interactive projections and special acoustical treatments to ensure an engaging and inclusive experience for all. The colorful projections on each lane add an element of surprise and excitement to the game that immediately captivates each bowler.
“Helping kids is a great cause for Brunswick,” said Corey Dykstra, CEO of Brunswick Bowling, which was instrumental in constructing the center with love and care. “It was really simple for us to say yes to this project. It’s beautiful to see today and it’s so exciting to watch the kids interact with bowling. I think we all agree that bowling is such a wonderful sport because everyone can do it.”
The sponsors were gifted personalized bowling jackets, and everyone dined on a delicious buffet dinner. Prior to the official ribbon cutting, Rabbi Grossbaum addressed the crowd and thanked everyone who contributed to the special space.
“It’s an absolute thrill to celebrate the grand opening of the LifeTown Bowling Center,” said Rabbi Grossbaum as the crowd cheered. “We set out to create something that was truly extraordinary. And looking around today, I think it’s safe to say that we’ve bowled a perfect game.”
After the ribbon cutting ceremony, guests hurried back to the bowling center, eager to play a few more games. The Simon Family and the Bershad family – instrumental supporters of the bowling center – were thrilled to see all their hard work come to fruition. Twins Spencer and Jonah Simon even dedicated their Bar Mitzvah project to the creation of the stunning center.
“It’s a meaningful way to give back,” said Mara Simon, a long-time Friendship Circle and LifeTown supporter, of her twins’ Bar Mitzvah project. “They were able to help make something permanent to remember their special day.”
“The bowling center is such a great addition,” said Marisa Bershad, another long-time Friendship Circle and LifeTown supporter. “There are so many different ways to use it and it’s a great addition to all the activities they offer here.”
Everyone who picks up a ball feels a sense of accomplishment and inclusion, no matter their skill level. That is what truly makes bowling stand apart from other sports, and what makes the new, one-of-a-kind LifeTown center a must visit attraction.
