Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 20, 1991 TAG: 9102200025
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-10 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND/ NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
He plays football, baseball and basketball at Christiansburg Elementary School. And he bowls.
And he knows what he sees in his future.
"I'm going to be a heart surgeon," said Troy, son of Terry and Debbie Akers of Christiansburg. "And I'm either going to Notre Dame or Yale."
For now, though, Troy, will have to settle for fame and fortune here in his hometown where he won a first place in the Big Brothers and Big Sisters "Bowl For Kids' Sake" fund-raiser last year.
"I raised the most money and it was really fun," said Troy, a fourth-grader. "It's fun to bowl against competition."
"Bowl For Kids' Sake" is the main money maker for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the New River Valley. College and junior league tournaments will be held Saturday. The competition culminates March 23 in the community day event, which is open to the public.
That event is called "Triangle Day" and will be held at Triangle Lanes in Christiansburg. There are prizes for first and second places in each category and gifts are given every 15 minutes. Tech's head football coach, Frank Beamer, is this year's honorary chairman.
According to volunteers at Big Brothers and Big Sisters, hundreds of bowlers participate in the fund-raiser every year and they're hoping for high numbers again this year.
The United Way agency - which matches adult volunteers with children from single-family homes - spends about six months each year preparing for this fund-raiser, which brings in the bulk of its annual $55,000 budget. This year's goal is $30,000.
"We probably need to bring in a little more than that because our United Way funding was cut back this year" by a few thousand dollars, said Susan Roop Gibas, executive director.
United Way of Montgomery County and Radford made only about 71 percent of its 1991 goal, which forced them to reduce allocations to some 33 agencies throughout the New River Valley.
But people like Troy really make the difference when it comes to raising funds.
Besides the junior league Troy bowled in, there are adult and college leagues, as well as "Triangle Day." During these events, each bowler or team is sponsored for a specific amount of money for each pin scored in a game.
And the money adds up.
In his league, Troy raised almost $600 for Big Brothers and Big Sisters and rode home on a new bike as first prize.
"He had several sheets of sponsors," Gibas said of Troy's plegders. "We couldn't believe how many people were giving him money for each pin he knocked down."
Troy proudly admitted that the majority of his more than 100 sponsors were family members.
Besides individuals, many groups are getting involved again this year. Students at Radford University will have their bowling tournament for Big Brothers and Big Sisters on campus; Junior League participants and Virginia Tech students will bowl for the fund at Triangle Lanes in Christiansburg.
Adult leagues are involved on an ongoing basis and bowl on their regular league nights.
"It's a really good cause," said Troy, whose highest score is 197. "You can get other people involved, win prizes and really have fun competing. I might do it again this year."
But Troy may face some stiff competition. His 3-year-old sister, Amber, has a high game of 76 and is coming on strong.
Call Big Brothers and Big Sisters at 381-0300 for more information.
by CNB