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Striking Up Friendships at TeamMates Bowling Day

3–4 minutes

By Marisa Dawson

A large group of people, including children and adults, gathered outdoors in front of a building, smiling and holding a large check. The event appears to be a celebration or charity fundraising initiative.

The sounds of crashing pins and cheering teammates filled Maplewood Lanes last Friday as the Bennington chapter of TeamMates Mentoring Program gathered for its annual end-of-year bowling celebration. The event brought mentors and mentees together for an afternoon of bowling, lunch, prizes and community connection, while also highlighting the continued support the program receives from the Bennington community.

Held at Maplewood Lanes, the event welcomed a record-breaking 126 participants this year, including 63 mentor-mentee matches.

“Our End of Year Bowling Celebration allows us to intentionally take time away from our typical match meetings and do something fun and out of the ordinary,” said TeamMates Program Coordinator Megan Detjens. “Gathering many matches in one space helps us achieve the club sense of belonging we strive for everyday.”

Detjens said the event gives both mentors and mentees an opportunity to strengthen relationships outside of the usual school-day setting while also building friendships with others involved in the program.

Two boys laughing while using a touchscreen gaming console in a colorful arcade environment, with other people enjoying various activities in the background.

“We have mentees who are friends and some who are siblings, so they get this time together,” she said. “We also have many Mentors who are good friends, father/son and even spouses. It speaks to the impact of what we do and people want to jump in.”

For some students and mentors, the annual outing is also their only opportunity to experience bowling together.

“Learning something new together and having fun in a setting that is vibrant and FUN,” Detjens said. “Our matches look forward to it every year.”

The event featured friendly competition and interactive games throughout the afternoon, including a bowling-themed BINGO game designed to keep participants engaged regardless of skill level.

A smiling man and a boy holding bowling balls, standing in a bowling alley with colorful bowling balls in the foreground and bowling lanes in the background.

“We play a BINGO game during bowling that helps our groups work together and focus energy on the fun, even if they are still perfecting their bowling skills,” Detjens said. “Then our matches win prizes, usually candy or a fidget of some sort.”

Detjens noted that outings like the bowling celebration help deepen the bond between mentors and mentees beyond what takes place during regular school meetings.

“Honestly, this is just taking that one on one relationship to the next level,” she said. “Giving matches a new opportunity to bond and learn together.”

She added that many mentees become especially excited about organizing lane assignments with friends and siblings long before the event arrives.

A child bowling in a brightly lit bowling alley, launching a red bowling ball down the lane with colorful lights reflecting on the polished wooden floor.

“As soon we start advertising the event, I will have students seek me out in school buildings to make their lane assignment requests,” Detjens said. “Its a big deal to honor the request because they make memories together and looking forward to the next year helps our retention.”

The afternoon also included a surprise presentation of the large check from 100 Women Who Care – Bennington, which donated $4,600 to support the TeamMates program following its latest quarterly giving event.

“This year the BIG surprise was the check presentation for $4,600 from Bennington’s 100 Women Who Care,” Detjens said. “We got to share with our participants this moment, tell them about the organization and how important this gift is.”

A group of children and teenagers sitting on the ground attentively listening to a woman speaking in front of them, outdoors in a sunny environment.
A group of women holding a large check for $4,600, presented to 'Team Moes of Bennington' on May 8, 2016, outside a building. All are wearing blue '100 Women Who Care' t-shirts.

Detjens said support from community organizations, donors and business partners plays a major role in sustaining the program and making special events possible.

“Our valuable partnerships are everything,” she said. “Helping our sustainability and cheering for us while we achieve our mission.”

She also praised Maplewood Lanes for continuing to host the celebration each year.

“Maplewood Lanes has been a very valuable partner for us,” Detjens said. “We have been celebrating with them since 2022. Jeanne and her team have been remarkable to work with. They take such great care of us and make sure we have a great event to close out the year.”

In addition to local business support, Detjens said many community donors specifically contributed to the bowling celebration through TeamMates’ Giving Tuesday campaign. “They believe in it too,” she said.

As another school year comes to a close, the annual bowling event once again served as both a celebration and reminder of the relationships, memories and community support that continue to strengthen Bennington TeamMates year after year.

A person sitting with their back to the camera, wearing a blue shirt displaying the text 'TEAMMATES MENTORING BENNINGTON' and a mission statement about positively impacting youth through mentoring.
A young child bowling in a colorful bowling alley, with neon lights illuminating the lanes.
A young child preparing to roll a bowling ball down a lane in a dimly lit bowling alley with purple lighting.
A person in a blue shirt preparing to bowl in a brightly lit bowling alley with colorful LED lights and multiple lanes.
A vibrant bowling alley scene with people seated at tables, some wearing blue shirts, and a bar area in the background. Colorful lights and screens are visible, creating a lively atmosphere.
A person with long red hair is preparing to bowl at a bowling alley, while another person walks in the background. The bowling lanes are brightly lit with colorful lights.
A staff member interacts with a young girl at a registration table filled with colorful items in a vibrant bowling alley, with people enjoying activities in the background.
A lively bowling alley scene featuring a diverse group of people, including children and adults, enjoying their time. Colorful bowling balls are visible on the racks, and screens display scores and entertainment. The interior is decorated with purple lighting, creating a fun atmosphere.
A person bowling in a brightly lit bowling alley with neon lights, focusing on rolling a bowling ball down the lane.
A crowded bowling alley with people of all ages enjoying games and activities. The scene includes tables with drinks, bowling balls, and colorful lighting in the background.
Two individuals smiling and talking at a bowling event, with others in the background. One is wearing a black jacket, and the other is wearing a blue shirt that says 'TEAM'.
A child bowling on a lane at a bowling alley, with a bright orange bowling ball in motion and colorful neon lights illuminating the surroundings.
A lively bowling alley scene with several people interacting and enjoying themselves, featuring a bar area in the background and bowling balls visible.
A child in a pink shirt and denim shorts is bowling at a bowling alley with colorful neon lights.
A woman bowling in a brightly lit bowling alley, with colorful lane lights and a welcome sign for an event.
A person throwing a bowling ball down a brightly lit bowling lane with colorful lights and pins in the background.
A woman bowling at a vibrant bowling alley with neon lights and two bowling balls in motion.
Two women in blue shirts engage at a booth, surrounded by baskets filled with colorful items, with a crowd visible in the background.
A child in a light blue shirt bowls a bright orange bowling ball down a brightly lit alley with colorful neon lights.
Two boys happily hugging at a bowling alley with illuminated lanes in the background.
Two women posing together in front of a bowling-themed backdrop, smiling and holding props. The backdrop features bowling pins and a stylized 'Strike' sign.
Two smiling women posing together at a bowling-themed event, holding props shaped like bowling pins and a sign that says 'Let the good times bowl!' with a festive blue backdrop.
Two individuals pose for a photo holding fun signs that say 'That's how we roll!' and 'Let the good times bowl!!', in front of a bowling-themed backdrop.
Two young girls posing together with a bowling-themed backdrop, one holding a sign that says 'That's how we roll'.
Two smiling women pose together with colorful props at a bowling-themed event, featuring a backdrop with bowling pins and lights.
Two women pose with props for a photo booth against a bowling-themed backdrop, one holding a fake mustache and the other a 'Strike!' sign.
A smiling man and a young boy standing in front of a colorful bowling-themed backdrop with the word 'STRIKE' and bowling pins.
A woman holding a large check for $4,600 made out to 'Team Matters of Bennington' on May 8, 2020, with another woman seated in the background.
A large group of people, including children and adults, are gathered outdoors, clapping and enjoying a moment together. They are standing and sitting on a curb near a building, with a variety of colorful clothing visible.
A group of six women celebrating outside a building, holding a large check for $4,600 made out to 'Team Mates of Bennington' as part of the '100 Women Who Care' initiative, with joyful expressions and poses.
A large group of people of various ages posing together outside a building, smiling at the camera.

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