Volunteers Roll Strike, Raise $23K for Condon Park

Eighty-four bowlers rolled perfect games as Kings hosted the first annual "Bowling Down the Barriers" fundraiser Sunday evening.

No bowler posted a 300 score, but every 10-pinner offered a flawless fundraising performance as a new playground rolls closer to reality. 

"It's a great cause," Mother Brook Community Group member Charlie Krueger said. "This is great for East Dedham and Dedham as a whole. It puts Dedham over the top."

At least 175 people visited to show their support for a . The event featured bowling, raffles and silent auctions as the Dedham community worked together toward a common goal.

"Everyone's having a blast," event organizer Donald Reisner said. "I didn't think we'd fill 10 lanes, but we've filled 14."

Reisner and his wife Laurie , but said Josh Rossmeisl, Kings general manager, played a major role in the evening's festivities.

"We were looking for any type of fundraiser we could get," Reisner said, "and Josh [Rossmeisl] offered the venue at no charge." 

Bowlers raised funds on the lanes, but raffles and silent auctions provided additional revenue for a new playground. 

Attendees could purchase raffle tickets with a chance to win items such as $300 worth of lottery tickets. In addition, alleycats could bid on donated goods including an autographed Stanley Cup champion Dennis Seidenberg Boston Bruins hockey puck and New England Patriots tickets.

Fourteen six-member bowling teams showed off their tenpin and fundraising skills at the event as each squad raised at least $600. A "Bowling Down the Barriers" volunteer estimated the event earned roughly $23,000.  

"Every time a ball goes down the lane, we're making money," Reisner said, "and that's a good thing."

Bowling teams featured players from a variety of areas, including Dedham Youth Soccer, Dedham Youth Basketball and Dedham Firefighters Local 1735.

"It's easy to get a team together for an event like this," Dedham Firefighters Local 1735 bowling team captain  Stephen MacDougall said. 

Bowling teams competed against one another in a friendly competition, but at least one team came ready to roll. 

The Dead Pins, the Dedham Youth Soccer's bowling team, dominated the competition. The group finished the first round with a score of 809, more than 80 pins ahead of its closest opponent.

But Dead Pins team member George Cariofiles took a "Patriots" approach to his team's early success.

"[Like] Bill Belichick would say, 'We just have to keep doing what we're doing,'" Cariofiles said.

The Dead Pins maintained their pace in the second round, earning the top spot in the competition with a final score of 1,522. Team Lord Stanley, led by Dedham Parks and Recreation director Robert Stanley finished second. 

Dedham Commission on Disability chairperson Michelle Labadini said the event's success will help the town in several ways.

"It's going to bring a lot more revenue and a lot more people to town," Labadini told attendees. "We couldn't have done it without you."

The Krueger-led Condon Crusaders' finished third among teams, but the squad received praise for its fundraising efforts. The Crusaders raised $1,695, the most among competitors.

Krueger said the event was a success regardless of the results in the lanes.

"I'm hoping for a clean sweep of all the trophies," Krueger said, "but regardless of how [the event] turns out, Condon Park is a winner." 

Editor's Note: This story has been changed to reflect updated fundraising totals.