Committee asks Long Islanders to bowl for local heroes 
 
Melville, NY, August 1, 2007—In honor of the 455 Long Islanders who lost their lives on September 11th, the Long Island 9/11 Memorial Committee will hold a bowling tournament on August 26th at 300 Long Island and throughout the entire Nassau-Suffolk AMF system, with a Chinese auction to follow on September 9.  The fundraiser will support the Committee’s goal of building a local memorial and education center for survivors, family members, and friends.

“We are honored to welcome the Committee and all of our neighbors to 300 Long Island as a way of honoring the victims and heroes of 9/11,” says Adam Hirsh, general manager of 300 Long Island in Melville.  “While we can’t change the events of 9/11, we can remember in a special way the Long Islanders who died —and honor those who gave selflessly in the rescue and recovery effort.”

AMF operates 335 bowling centers across the country, including 16 on Long Island.  This event is the first time a coordinated bowling event of this magnitude has engaged the local community.

“We are very pleased that 300 Long Island and the other AMF centers across the Island are joining together to support our initiative and specifically this tournament,” says Robert De Silva, President of the Long Island 9/11 Memorial Committee and a retired New York City firefighter.  “Right now, the Committee is totally focused on creating a memorial for the Long Islanders who perished, and a place where family, friends, and neighbors can come for solace and reflection.  We know Long Islanders will respond—they always do.”  De Silva says the Committee plans to make the tournament an annual event.

Bowlers of all levels, from children to seniors as well as league bowlers, are welcome.  Admission is $20 per person and includes three games, 50% off shoe rental, and finger foods.  Top players at each AMF center will win tickets for a Chinese auction that will be held two weeks later on September 9 at 300 Long Island. 

The Long Island 9/11 Memorial will be located in Farmingdale on the campus of the State University of New York on Route 110, Broadhollow Road.  A piece of steel from Ground Zero will be part of the memorial, which will be situated in a long, open space.  A resource center with educational materials will be housed in nearby Cutler Hall.

Appropriately for the memorial, the site straddles both Nassau and Suffolk Counties, and the architect is a Long Islander.  The design was selected from nine submissions by a blue ribbon panel representing 9/11 family members, Farmingdale State, the Long Island 9/11 Memorial Committee and Long Island government officials.  The architect is Patricia M. O’Neill, AIA, of Plandome Manor, located in the town of North Hempstead.  Construction will start once the bidding process is over and fundraising officially begins with the tournament.

“The 9/11 tournament is a chance for people to come out and bowl for a cause,” says Adam Hirsh.  “The only outcome we’re really interested in is making the Long Island 9/11 Memorial a reality.”

After an extensive renovation at the former Melville Lanes, 300 Long Island reopened at the end of last year as a bowling, entertainment center and meeting facility.  300 Long Island is one of six 300 locations across the country, including facilities in Manhattan, Austin, Atlanta, Dallas, and San Jose.

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NV Communications
9 East 40th Street, 16th Floor
New York, NY  10016
212-687-0607

Local Contact:
Norma Vavolizza
212-687-0607

National Contact:
Merrell Wreden
804-559-8643
 
To schedule interviews with Adam Hirsh, general manager of 300 Long Island, and Robert De Silva, President, Long Island 9/11 Memorial Committee, please contact Norma Vavolizza, 212-687-0607, normav@nvcommunications.com.

What:
Bowling Tournament and Chinese Auction
in support of the Long Island 9/11 Memorial, Farmingdale
 
When:
August 26—bowling tournament
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

September 9—Chinese auction and presentation of check
3:00 p.m.
 
Where:                       
300 Long Island, lead tournament location
895 Walt Whitman Road (Route 110), Melville
with all other 15 AMF bowling centers on Long Island participating

Video/photo opps:   
Brief remarks, presentation of check by Adam Hirsh, general manager, 300 Long Island to Robert De Silva, President, Long Island 9/11 Memorial Committee

Architect’s drawing of the Long Island 9/11 Memorial

Web:
www.li911memorial.org
www.300longisland.com
www.amf.com