Let's roll!

DOVER — A wildly successful fundraiser, for a very good cause, took place Sunday with the 11th annual Dover Bowl-A-Thon to raise money for the Dover Children's Home.

The Dover Children's Home, incorporated in 1893, helps at-risk youth with housing, education and real-life skill training needed to help them move on to a more stable and successful life. Executive Director Renee Touhey-Childress said the event is one of the home's biggest fundraisers.

"The state and Medicaid give us money to pay for the daily care of our residents," said Touhey-Childress. "It covers 54 percent of the cost. The rest we raise, through events like this one, corporate donations, in-kind services, food donations, individual donations and grants."

Each year, Seacoast area residents put together teams to raise money and then spend a fun day bowling, eating alley food and just having a great time. While some of the teams are comprised of seasoned bowlers, others have never bowled at all and just want to help raise money.

The team from Great Island Realty unashamedly admitted none of them are regular bowlers, or even casual bowlers.

"We are here for the first time," said Cindi Couture, who organized the team. "It's such a great place, Dover Children's Home, and we raised $2,000. We're having fun so it all works out. I think it has been at least 15 years since I last bowled."

This is the second year members of American Legion Post 8 in Dover sent a team to play.

"We do a lot with the Dover Children's Home and in our community," said Wayne Gower. "This is a good cause and we raised $800. We are even surviving the bowling."

American Legion Post 69 of Somersworth sent bowling regulars. In fact, they sent two teams.

"This is the fourth year we have taken part," said Past Commander and current Adjutant of the Post, Ray Doyon.

"We raised $1,220," said Kathy Heon, a member of the Post. "That's what the American Legion does. We raise money so we can donate it."

Touhey-Childress said they had 85 teams taking part on Sunday, in four sessions.

"In the first two sessions, we raised about $15,000," she said. "If we can do the same in the next two, we will raise about $30,000. This is a great family event and everyone has a good time."