Eric Greenberg Goldy, a 17-year-old New York City High School student is the founder of the Strike Out Pediatric Cancer PCF Bowlathon, a charity event he started five years ago when he was required to choose a charity project for his Bar Mitzvah.
We wanted our Mitzvah Market readers to know about Eric and this special charity that is still going strong five years later.
Pictured L-R: Dad Rob, Eric, Sister Taylor and Mom Roberta
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular Mitzvah Project?
EGG: I got involved with Pediatric Cancer Foundation through a school community service project called, “The Box Project,” where students brought in different arts and crafts items to put inside of shoe boxes that we decorated to give to kids with cancer. A few years later, my sister got a group of friends together to walk in the Annual Pediatric Cancer Walkathon for her Bat Mitzvah. When it was time for me to choose a Mitzvah Project, I knew that I wanted it to benefit Pediatric Cancer Foundation but I also wanted it to be athletic and fun so I founded the Bowl-a-thon.
The Greenberg-Goldy Family in 2008
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bar Mitzvah?
EGG: Pediatric Cancer Foundation’s mission is really to help doctors help kids who have cancer and what that means to me– is that by founding and organizing the Annual Strike Out Pediatric Cancer™ PCF Bowl-a-thon, we’re helping as many kids as we can live a healthy and happy life. That, to me, embodies the Mitzvah tradition of tzedakah (charity) or tikkun olam (healing the world).
MM: Please give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
EGG: The 6th Annual Strike Out Pediatric Cancer™ PCF Bowl-A-Thon will take place on Sunday, December 15, 2013 from 11:00- 1:00 pm at Lucky Strike Lanes in New York City to benefit Pediatric Cancer Foundation. They receive no funding from the government or pharmaceutical companies and since 1970, nearly 90% of every dollar raised supports their mission to eradicate cancer. So what that means in terms of the Bowl-a-thon is that a huge percentage of each dollar raised directly helps kids who have cancer.
We’ve booked out the entire bowling alley in hopes of filling it with bowlers of all ages and have set aside lanes for younger bowlers who may need bumpers and slides. The $50 registration fee includes a donation to PCF, two hours of bowling, shoe rental, refreshments, and entertainment. As always, we will be raffling off fun and amazing prizes for both kids and adults. Parents looking for a fun birthday party activity, businesses looking for a meaningful Team Building event, and students looking for a fun community service project should all consider the 6th Annual Strike Out Pediatric Cancer PCF Bowl-a-thon.
MM: What are you doing to spread the word about your Mitzvah Project?
EGG: Besides inviting everyone that I know (and everyone that THEY know), each year I send out hundreds of corporate sponsor letters in hopes that they will support the Annual Strike Out Pediatric Cancer PCF Bowl-a-thon. This year our sponsors include: Appleseeds, Baked by Melissa, Alicart Restaurant Group, Fireman’s Hospitality Group, Asphalt Green, Chelsea Piers, ChariTotes™, Clean Plates, Lucky Strike, New Victory Theater, Protocol, Balloon Bouquets, Cozy’s Cuts for Kids and The Summer Lady. What we offer them in exchange for sponsorship is recognition! We put their logo on the sponsorship page of our Website and in our Press Kits. We also thank them. A lot!
We have been focusing more on social media than ever before. For example, in terms of Facebook every Monday we post a new sponsor logo, on Wednesday we post a picture from past Bowl-a-thons, and on Fridays we post Bowling tips. Besides sponsorships, what we really need are bowlers, so I have been using Facebook and Twitter to get people interested and excited. We also have a Website where people can register, donate, and get more information about PCF: www.pcfbowlathon.org
A letter Eric wrote for the 5th Annual Strike Out for Bowling
MM: For how long can people donate to this charity?
EGG: Yearlong! Our next event is Sunday, December 15, 2013.
MM: Anything else you want us to know about this Mitzvah Project?
EGG: The other important activity that takes place at the Bowl-a-thon is the Design-A-Bag workshop courtesy of ChariTotes. ChariTotes began as an arts and crafts activity that my sister, Taylor thought of where bowlers personally decorate blank canvas bags, make get well cards and then stuff the bags with a notebook, crayons and stickers to give to kids in local pediatric cancer units.
After doing this project at the Bowl-a-thon a few years ago, Taylor thought it would be great to create an actual product that people could buy where 10% of the proceeds are donated to PCF. Taylor and ChariTotes donate over 200 Design-A-Bag kits to the Bowl-a-thon each year so participants could create a bag for a sick child. In past years, student volunteers from the High School of Art and Design and Stuyvesant High School have been on site to help with this project in conjunction with the 92nd Street Y’s TEENSgiving Program!
Great job Eric! One person can make a difference. Thank you for sharing your Mitzvah Project with our readers and Mazel Tov on such a great project!
