Turkey bowling for charity

St. John Medical Center security manager James Kamholz helps Nick Schillero, 5, son of finance director Tony Schillero, knock down pins in the Dec. 3 Frozen Turkey Bowling event. Photo by Denny Wendell

Something unusual was on a roll at St. John Medical Center on Dec. 3 – turkeys. Frozen turkeys, to be exact. Employees from across the Westlake health campus braved the cold for a good cause in the hospital’s inaugural Frozen Turkey Bowling competition. For a small donation, staffers and their family members tried their hand at hurling 12-pound turkeys down a makeshift alley set up in the outdoor courtyard.

All of the money raised went to the SJMC Hope Fund, which offers assistance to employees experiencing a temporary hardship. Those who bowled a strike, knocking down all 10 regulation pins, were entered into a grand-prize drawing for a paid day off.

The idea was conceived by SJMC security manager James Kamholz, who saw similar events held elsewhere and thought it would be a fun way to raise money for the Hope Fund. Hospital President and CEO William Young Jr. not only endorsed the idea, he bowled the first strike.

Several hundred dollars were raised by the 75 participants. The medical center hopes to make Frozen Turkey Bowling an annual event and open it up to the community.