CEDARS Bowls with Cabela's

Thirty elementary students filed into Sun Valley Lanes bowling alley on March 25th, ready for an afternoon of fun during their school break.

They were students from the CEDARS Community Learning Center programs within Hartley and Clinton elementary schools, at Sun Valley Lanes for a special day sponsored by Cabela's CLUB Visa.

Given name tags and personalized Cabela's gift bags, the kids were greeted by their bowling partners from Cabela's CLUB Visa and then hit the lanes -- decked out in hunting and safari themes. Within the personalized gifts from Cabela's were hooded sweatshirts, t-shirts, socks and a disposable camera for them to document their bowling adventures.

For the next few hours, the kids and the Cabela's volunteers bowled a few games, socialized and had snacks.

"The kids love the one-on-one attention...there's a lot of camaraderie built in a short amount of time," said Debbie Longoria, Quality Assurance Supervisor for Cabela's CLUB Visa.

Longoria is a long-time friend of CEDARS and volunteered to be at the Cabela's sponsored bowling day for the kids.

"The employees have as much fun and connection as the kids do," Longoria said. "It doesn't take a lot of effort to improve the lives of these children. Just showing up can be the best gift."

CEDARS has worked with local businesses for years to cultivate local support and give children positive outlets in their daily lives. RJ Neal, office manager for Sun Valley Lanes, said he was glad to be a part of the outreach.

"The event went really well, and it's something we'd do again," Neal said. "I think it's important to provide something positive for kids to do, especially when there's time off school."

The Spring Break bowling day is just one example of Cabela's CLUB Visa working closely with CEDARS, said Administrative Assistant Dani Friesen.

"We do (these events) because we enjoy giving kids that experience who don't get the chance to do things like fishing or bowling, the things that we take for granted," said Friesen. "We like to do 1 or 2 events per year and give support around the holidays."

The donation of money and time from Cabela's CLUB Visa made the event a success, said Rhonda Saunders, Events Coordinator for CEDARS.

"(Cabela's CLUB Visa) are long-time donors and friends," Saunders said. "It's a ongoing relationship that has truly blossomed."

Saunders said all the kids had a great time, and loved the attention from the volunteers. After bowling, eating and having an afternoon of fun during their spring break vacation from school, the kids got ready to go. Longoria said it was hard to end the event: "You want to take them all home, they're just so cute!"

Saunders again stated the benefit of community support, from which the bowling event stemmed from. "These kids got to experience something that they maybe have never experienced before," she said. "It's a win-win for everyone: for the volunteers, the kids, CEDARS and the community."

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