What’s better than bowling? Bowling for a global cause that started here in Kansas City 31 years ago! This March marks the 31st anniversary for the Greater Kansas City American Association of Zoo Keepers’ (GKC AAZK) nationally recognized bowl-a-thon: Bowling for Rhinos. This year’s event will be held at Premier Bowling in Raytown, MO on Sunday, March 4 from 5:30-9:00 pm.
Bowling for Rhinos (BFR) was originated in 1987 by a group of Kansas City zoo keepers that were concerned about the plight of rhinos in Africa. Rhinos have lived on Earth for over 50 million years, but may not survive the next 50. Rhinos are poached for their horns and poaching is being conducted by sophisticated international criminal syndicates that smuggle horns to Asia.
Over the past 31 years, the Kansas City community has helped the GKC chapter raise over $125,000 contributing to a nationwide success of over $7 million! The GKC AAZK invite YOU to bowl, have fun, and help raise much needed support for the conservation of endangered rhinos and the ecosystems they inhabit.
Registration is $25 per bowler and includes 3 games and shoe rental. Register between 5:30 and 6:00 pm the evening of the event. Registration information can be found by visiting: www.kcaazk.webs.com.
Individuals can support Bowling for Rhinos in several ways:
- Become an event sponsor
- Bowl as an individual or team
- Donate an item to be used in the raffle or silent auction
- Simply attend and have a great time!
All donations are tax deductible, and 100 % of proceeds support in-situ rhino conservation areas around the world: Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, Africa and International Rhino Foundation in Indonesia and Sumatra. Funds raised also support community participation with Action for Cheetahs in Kenya. Please visit aazk.org/committee/bowling-for-rhinos/ for more information about the individual conservation organizations that benefit from Bowling for Rhinos.
The GKC AAZK chapter was formed in 1984 and is a nonprofit (U.S. 501c3) volunteer organization made up of professional animal care providers and other interested persons dedicated to animal care and conservation. One objective of the chapter is to educate and assist professional animal care personnel in their roles as animal caretakers, public educators, scientific researchers, wildlife conservationists and to promote their respective facilities as cultural establishments, dedicated to the preservation of our natural resources and animal life. Friends of Lakeside Nature Center is the host site for the GKC AAZK chapter.
For more information about the Greater Kansas City American Association of Zoo Keepers and Bowling for Rhinos visit: www.kcaazk.webs.com and www.facebook.com/kcaazk