Not just bowling
for dollars

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

The Thunderbird Lanes bowling chain likes to mix fun times with some big-time charity endeavors.
"The community supports our business year-round, and we’re so thankful," said Elaine Brumberg, who owns the centers with her husband Norman. "We want to give something back."
Throughout the year, the Brumbergs work with individuals and organizations that want to raise money using bowling as the centerpiece of the event. One very successful fund-raiser every year is in honor of Gia Gaudet, a Normandy teenager with spina bifida.
Last year, the chain — which has locations in Warminster, Willow Grove and at 3081 Holme Ave. — held a fund-raiser to pay for K-9 dogs for the Warminster Township, Upper Moreland Township and Philadelphia police departments.
"It worked out really, really well," Elaine Brumberg said.
The Brumbergs are hoping that an upcoming fund-raiser works out just as well.
Thunderbird Lanes will donate one-half of all bowling fees from Aug. 24 to 26 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern Pennsylvania (which represents Philadelphia and Montgomery County) and Bucks County.
"We hope it’s going to be a huge success," Brumberg said.
The bowling alley chain and Big Brothers Big Sisters became acquainted when the agency used Thunderbird Lanes as a fund-raiser.
The upcoming promotion is being billed as "Thunderbird Lanes Carnival Fun Days." It’s timed with National Bowling Week, which runs from Aug. 24-31 and is sponsored by the National Bowling Proprietors Association. Activities unrelated to the charity event include a teen night and a league appreciation night.
In addition to celebrating National Bowling Week, Thunderbird Lanes is holding an open house to showcase $1 million in recent renovations. All three chain locations were winners in Philadelphia magazine’s "Best of Philly 2007" issue.
While the Holme Avenue site adheres to Philadelphia law by being smoke-free, the two suburban locations will prohibit smoking for the weekend.
The three-day flurry of activities gets under way on Friday, Aug. 24 with a three games-for-$5 special for senior citizens.
The next day, all young people who register for a fall program receive free bowling, rental shoes, a hot dog and soda.
The carnival atmosphere will include games, prizes, face-painting and food. Elaine Brumberg will dress as Belle from Beauty and the Beast, while Superman is also expected to make an appearance.
Every other hour, the centers will be running their laser bowling music and light show. Commemorative "pins" will be sold for $1. Players in the Thunderbird Lanes senior citizen leagues will volunteer to greet visitors and hand out shoes.
"We’re going all out," Brumberg said. "It’s going to be fun."
Joining in the fun will be the so-called "bigs" and "littles," the men and women who volunteer for the organization and the boys and girls whom they mentor.
An information table will be set up to encourage adults to learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters and perhaps join.
Brumberg said the program is in need of volunteers. A lack of men has forced the agency to pair women with boys to decrease the waiting list. That’s worked out well, but the initial mission was and the ideal pairing would be man and boy.
"A lot of them need a father image," she said. "We want to raise as much as we possibly can, and we’re hoping the organization can acquire more mentors."
"We need more men to become Big Brothers, we need more caregivers to sign their girls up to be Little Sisters and we can always benefit from additional funding that will strengthen our program base," said Marlene L. Olshan, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania. "Thunderbird Lanes’ events provide opportunities for all three, making it an ideal partnership opportunity."
Norman Brumberg started Thunderbird Lanes 53 years ago, and he and his wife are counting on the bowling chain’s longtime customers, employees and friends to make the event a success.
Everyone in the company is supporting the effort, and the Brumbergs give special credit to Mary Harrar, William Little and David Zeitz.
"We’re very proud of what we do," Elaine Brumberg said. "It makes us feel good." ••
For more information on Thunderbird Lanes Carnival Fun Days, visit www.phillybowl.com or call the Holme Avenue location at 215-464-7171 (7172).