Santa Monica Bowls for a Cause

January 8, 2013 -- Developers will get a chance to go up against City staff outside the council chambers, hotel employees will test their spin against attorneys and the fire and police chiefs will go head-to-head February 1 during SuperBowl-A-Thon 17.

They are among the 700 bowlers representing local businesses, non profits and City workers who compete every year at AMF Bay Shore Lanes in Santa Monica to benefit the Westside Shelter & Hunger Coalition (WSHC).

Once again the event will pretty much last all day, going from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. at the bowling alley that is said to have inspired such immortal Popeye characters as Wimpy and Brutus.

The money raised goes directly to the Westside winter shelter program providing emergency supplies for men, women and families in transition.

“This is a wonderful event for a great cause and we are pleased to have the widespread participation and support of the business community,” said Lynne Thomas of The Lobster and Ron Davis of CapitalSource Bank, who co-chair a committee of volunteers producing the event.

“This bowling marathon brings the private and public sectors together with local social service agencies and the faith community to raise funds for programs focused on the eradication of hunger and homelessness on the Westside of Los Angeles,” sponsors said.

This year's SuperBowl-A-Thon (SBAT) is presented by Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica with "Perfect Game" sponsor CapitalSource Bank.

The 2013 "Strike" sponsors are Downtown Santa Monica, The Lobster, Morley Builders, Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau, Santa Monica Police Officers' Association, Santa Monica Firefighters Association and Spectrum Athletic Club-Santa Monica.

The 2013 "Spare" level sponsors are: Coalition of Santa Monica City Employees, Harding Larmore Kutcher & Kozal LLP, JW Marriott Le Merigot Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce.

Among the community leaders who will test their bowling skills are Assembly member Richard Bloom, Santa Monica Mayor Pam O'Connor, Santa Monica Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks, Santa Monica Fire Chief Scott Ferguson, members of Santa Monica City Council and Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Superintendent Sandra Lyon and Board members.

WSHC, a project of Community Partners, addresses the needs of the homeless and low-income population of the Westside by coordinating programs, such as food and shelter, job counseling and health services, as well as providing education and advocacy. Founded in 1982, it is the oldest coalition in the county working on behalf of the homeless. www.westsideshelter.org.