Love Bowling? Play for a Good Cause

This spring, many Washington-area companies are bowling for fun and a purpose.

Most recently, McLean and Tysons Corner-based KPMG supported Junior Achievement of Greater Washington and its financial literacy programs for metro area middle and elementary schools. Companies can still sign up to bowl and fundraise by visiting the Junior Achievement bowling website.

Last year, Junior Achievement raised more than $430,000 via the Junior Achievement Bowl. Proceeds go to financial literacy programs to help ensure greater Washington-area middle and elementary school kids can learn how to handle finances and function wisely in the economy.

The JA Bowl is Junior Achievement of Greater Washington's major annual fundraising event. Last year, for the 2011-2012 season, 32 local companies with more than 2,000 bowlers participated and raised more than $430,000.The event grows each year, so even more total bowlers expected this year.

The Junior Achievement Bowl is all about grassroots—getting everyone involved, having some friendly competition between company teams and inspiring each team to raise as much as they can, showing how lots of "small" donations add up to a huge amount.  

Companies can sign on to be corporate sponsors. Employees can form or join teams and publicize their bowling dates. Bowlers get sponsors, which go toward their team's total money raised, and the teams' money raised ultimately goes towards the total amount their company raises.

Junior Achievement serves in classrooms throughout the Washington metro area.