Crowdsource: Bowling for Dollars with BLOC ’n’ Bowl

When leaders of the Charlotte, North Carolina, chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry wanted to do something good for their community, it turned out that bowling was right up their alley.

“Team NARI Gives” took to the lanes in December to compete in “BLOC ’n’ Bowl,” a local fundraising event sponsored by Business Leaders of Charlotte. NARI Charlotte Executive Director Mike Waite and three board members raised more than $21,000 for 18 families the chapter “adopted” at the holidays. Donors made per-pin pledges, giving team members more than the usual competitive incentive to score big.

With the proceeds, NARI Charlotte members purchased groceries and gift cards and filled other urgent needs of their adopted families. They rounded out the effort with a gift-wrapping party and in-person deliveries.

“It’s one of the most rewarding experiences you can have,” Waite says of the visits with the families. “It’s an emotional experience. We like to be attached to good works in the community. This is something that has really inspired our group.”

The buzz around the event got big enough that the chapter plans to hold its own version of the event this summer; 20 teams have already signed up, Waite says. The champion will represent NARI Charlotte at next winter’s BLOC ’n’ Bowl.

“It’s evolving into something more grand than we expected,” he says.

(Andrew Holt/Getty Images)