Junior Achievement of Washington Hosts Annual Bowling Classic

Junior Achievement of Washington (JA) is bringing back in-person fundraising events, hosting JA Bowling Classic – Back to the 90’s. This fun team-building fundraiser will be happening from May 12 until May 13, 2022, at Spare Time Lanes, Kennewick, and from May 17 until May 22, 2022, at Atomic Bowl, Richland. An online auction featuring many exciting items and unique experiences will be available for bidding from May 11 until May 25.

The JA Bowling Classic, JA’s primary fundraiser for student programs in the region, was canceled in the last two years due to the pandemic. Now, celebrating over 20 years of bowling with a throwback theme to the 90’s, the event is dedicated to raising money to deliver life-changing programs to more young people in the community. Donations generated by this event are essential to teaching financial literacy, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurship skills to thousands of students in grades K-12 throughout Southeastern Washington.

During the pandemic, most JA programs moved to a virtual delivery, but hundreds of volunteers continued teaching JA curriculum in local classrooms. They provide mentorship opportunities, model key business concepts, instruct in teamwork and critical thinking, and connect classroom learning to the real world of work.  “Junior Achievement helped me with my decision for picking a career. JA also taught me how to write a resume and what to expect during a job interview. The class showed me many career choices and how to look for a job. I am definitely going to apply what I learned at JA when I graduate and start looking for a job,” said an 8th-grade student at Ki-Be Middle School in Benton City after completing the program.  

This event is a popular corporate employee engagement event—participating companies recruit employees to be individual fundraisers on small bowling teams of five people, including a team captain. Each team member’s “Goal to Bowl” is $100 (team goal is $500). Individuals who raise $100 or more will be eligible for prizes generously donated by local JA sponsors. 

“Nearly 1,200 community and education leaders will participate during our multi-week event.” said Tamra Meyer, Regional Director, Junior Achievement of Washington, Southeastern Region. “Because of the outstanding support received at this event, JA has had a presence in this vibrant community for over 30 years.

Junior Achievement SEWA would like to thank our Bowling Major Sponsors: Alaska Airlines, Bechtel, Corwin Ford Tri-Cities, Central Plateau Cleanup Company, Gesa Credit Union, Hanford Mission Integration Solutions, KNDU 25- NBC Right Now, Mustang Sign Group, Spectrum Reach, Spotted Fox Digital Marketing, VI Resorts, and Washington River Protection Solutions.