The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Dale Huffman: Bowling association sponsors repair of VA’s lanes

Board may move for Kettering AD's dismissal
2:29 p.m.
Fairborn Sweet Corn Festival violated religious free speech, court rules
11:53 a.m.
A third of Bellbrook students absent
10:58 a.m.
New State law gives school districts reach to punish cyberbullying
10:42 a.m.
GE plans to hire 5,000 veterans
10:38 a.m.
> More headlines

By Dale Huffman, Staff Writer 11:27 PM Sunday, April 19, 2009

Bowling balls, just like the wheels of kindness, can gain momentum and move in a remarkable manner when some caring person starts the process with a little push.

Dennis O. Hindson, a retired member of the United States Air Force, found that out recently when he was a patient at the Dayton Veteran’s Association Medical Center, 4100 W. Third St.

Hindson shared an example of good people working together to touch lives in a positive way.

“During my stay at the VA Medical Center, I found out that physical and recreational therapy were an important part of my treatment. The center offers, among other things, a six-lane bowling alley,” Hindson said. “During my stay there, the automatic pin setters were in sad shape and in need of repair. Four of the lanes were not available for use due to maintenance problems.

“The assigned engineer on duty worked hard to keep two lanes operating on a daily basis,” he said.

After thinking about the situation, Hindson said he decided to see if there was some way he could help get the bowling lanes brought up to standards.

Hindson called Mark Frazee, the chief of voluntary services at the medical center, and asked for permission to try to obtain outside volunteer help.

“I was given a green light and I contacted the Dayton Bowling Proprietors’s Association and inquired if they might be able to provide assistance,” Hindson said. “Within a week, Pat Marazzi, the executive director of the association, was in touch with me.”

After Marazzi brought it up during the next meeting of the bowling proprietors association, “Pat called me with the good news,” Hindson said.

“I was told that the association members unanimously supported the request and were excited to get started in efforts to repair the veterans' bowling lanes.”

“We were amazed,” Kay Crawford, a member of the VA voluntary services staff said, “In a short time, the repairmen showed up and took on the repair project. Now the lanes are completely operational, all of them, and are being used by our veterans. And the bowling owners said they will make this an ongoing gift and will come back on a regular basis and volunteer services to keep the lanes working.”

Hindson visited the center and found a happy scene.

“I was so pleased,” he said. “I arrived on a Sunday and the lanes were busy with inpatient veterans and their family members using the newly refurbished bowling lanes.

“On behalf of my fellow veterans, I would like to send a very personal and heartfelt thanks to the proprietor’s association and the local bowling alley owners and the mechanics who donated time, money, and parts,” Hindson said. “It is good to know that those who served our country are again able to enjoy the fun, excitement and therapy that the sport of bowling provides.”

Dale Huffman wants your suggestions and story ideas. Send e-mail to dhuffman@DaytonDailyNews.com or write to Dale at 1611 S. Main St. Dayton, OH 45409. Fax: (937) 225-2489. Phone: (937) 225-2272.

Share this article