Flowers for the Living Award Becomes a Part of the Bowling Foundation Family

Arlington Texas: The Bowling Foundation is pleased to announce that it will team up with the Sam Levine Flowers for the Living Award starting with the presentation of the 2009 award within the next few weeks.

The “Flowers” Award is one of the most coveted and prestigious in the bowling industry being presented to outstanding men and women from all walks of the industry. The award like the foundation, is unique because it is totally independent from any particular company or organization. Both serve all of bowling.

The Flowers for the Living Award began in 1961, inspired by the “Flowers for the Living” poem written by Ohio Associated Press editor Fritz Howell, one of its founders and a member of the first committee. Other founders were Sam Levine, Cleveland Kegler, Steve Crucheon, Detroit Bowlers Digest, Billy Sixty, Milwaukee Journal, Bill Hengen, Minneapolis Star, and Tom Bolger, Toledo Blade.

The award is managed today by an independent panel of industry writers and executives who nominate candidates and select a winner each year. To maintain its independence and integrity, the ballots are kept secret, and the winners are not revealed until the time of presentation.

One recipient in recent years described the award as “the ultimate lifetime achievement award.” Former co-chairman of the committee, the late Sam Weinstein, provided the best description, which appears on one of the award plaques – Weinstein said “This award is not for any great deed or spectacular accomplishment, but just for being a person in our world who truly deserves a pat on the back to let them know we love them and admire them for what they have done and stood for.”

The award consists of two beautiful plaques – one with the “Flowers” poem, and a fresh bouquet of flowers is delivered to the winners home following the presentation. The award goes to living people who have made exceptional contributions to the growth, welfare and image of bowling.

“We are very excited about teaming up with the Foundation, and we want to thank Foundation President Cathy DeSocio and Executive Director Troy Greisen for having the vision to see the value of this wonderful award,” said ‘Flowers’ Committee Chairman Jim Goodwin.

“The Bowling Foundation is honored to support this prestigious award that annually recognizes those that are bowling's "goodwill ambassadors."    'Giving a helping hand' is written in the words of the poem "Flowers for the Living" that inspires this award, and that is exactly what The Bowling Foundation is all about.  We look forward to strengthening the power and meaning of The Sam Levine Flowers for the Living Award,” said Executive Director Troy Greisen.

ABOUT THE BOWLING FOUNDATION

As the "charitable arm of Bowling," The Bowling Foundation operates and supports many youth related programs, organizations and charitable causes through the efforts of bowlers, leagues, associations, and bowling centers.  Some of the most important programs include:  Bowl For The Cure with the Susan G Komen for the Cure Foundation, Special Olympics, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, Bowl For Veterans, the International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame, and various scholarships and grants for schools and youth organizations.  For more information, log onto www.bowlingfoundation.org.

For more information about the Flowers for the Living Award and a complete list of winners, please visit the Bowling Foundation Website www.bowlingfoundation.org. In 2011, the Flowers Award will celebrate its 50th anniversary.