Ninety-six bowlers on six-person teams took part in the friendly competition to raise funds for Oak Hills Living Center. This year’s fundraiser is going to purchase a new bus for the living center.

Oak Hills Living Center CEO/Administrator Candas Schouvieller said they are currently using a 2004 Ford E350 bus to transport residents, but the vehicle is over 20 years old and becoming unreliable.

Schouvieller said the bus was used to transport residents to different activities, such as shopping downtown and day trips to view the leaves changing in the fall.

In addition to needing a more reliable bus, Schouveiller said they need a bus that is more inclusive to their residents in wheelchairs. She said they are looking for a bus that has space for more wheelchairs.

The 23rd Annual Oak Hills Memorial Foundation Bowling Classic began Monday with a “Slammy Jammy” competition. All 96 bowlers in the tournament bowled in a strike-elimination game before the three game tournament.

The bowling classic began with a Slammy Jammy competition. Players on all 16 lanes lined up and bowled at the same time. The players who threw strikes were able to continue to the next round. The final player to get a strike was declared the winner. This year Dan Reinke won the Slammy Jammy. He said it was the second time he had won this competition. He is a regular bower. He said the secret was to stretch before throwing and to try to have fun.

“It’s all for a good cause,” Reinke said.

Oak Hills volunteer coordinator Rachel Becker said the bowling fundraiser was fairly popular. A lot of the same community members return every year for it.

“We’ve got a ton of community support,” Becker said, “and it is a fun thing to do on a Monday.”

Some of the teams competing in the fundraiser have been with it since the first year. Sandy Reinke, with the team “Girl Power” said their team has attended all 23 years. While some of the team members have changed, a few have been with it since the beginning, including herself, Joyce Glaser and Sonja Freiderick.

From left to right: Julie Reinart, Wendy Domeier, Susie Anderson and Jamie Kruger all prepare to bowl in the 23rd Annual Oak Hills Memorial Foundation Bowling Classic, Monday.

Sandy Reinke said they were also the first to have matching team shirts for the tournament that was later copied by their rival team, “The Wannabes.”

Though the teams take the competition seriously, they all understand the event is for a good cause.

The idea to hold the bowling fundraiser came from Elaine Paa, who is a member of the Bowling Committee and helps organize the event every year.

Paa said in 2003, she was working at Oak Hills and everyone saw a need to raise funds for the living center. She was an avid bowler and thought it might be a fun way to bring in donations. After over two decades, Paa has been proven correct. Year after year, the bowling classic remains popular with the community.

Paa said in addition to people loving bowling, she believes the community understands the importance of supporting Oak Hills.

Dan Reinke won this year’s “Slammy Jammy” competition that opened the Oak Hills Memorial Foundation Bowling Classic. Of all 96 bowlers, he was able to throw the most strikes in a row. Reinke said this is the second year he has won the opening strike-elimination competition. He said his secret to hit strikes was to have a good time and remember the competition is for a good cause.

“I think a lot of local people know that some day they might need Oak Hills,” she said.

The bowling fundraiser usually raises between $15,000 and $20,000 each year.

Those who wish to donate or volunteer can contact Oak Hills Foundation at oakhillsnewulm.com/oakhillsfoundation/donate-now/