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Community Corner

Bowling Fundraiser to Benefit Dearborn Animal Shelter

Champion bowlers Aleta Sill and Michelle Mullen will host the annual event Aug. 6 in Farmington.

If champion bowlers Aleta Sill and Michelle Mullen have anything to say about animals, it’s that they want them to have a better life. And they are about to launch into their sixth effort to make that a reality for and the Michigan Animal Adoption Network.

In just five years, they’ve raised $62,000 for the two organizations through their annual Bowl-4-Animal Rescue fundraiser, zeroing in on Dearborn because it was recommended by their own veterinarian, Dr. Cheryl Good of .

And they plan to keep right on rolling with the event this year, which takes place Aug. 6 at Farmington Hills' Country Lanes.

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There are no bowlers quite like 48-year-old Sill and her partner, 46-year-old United States Bowling Congress gold-bowling coach Michelle Mullen, when it comes to supporting local homeless animals.

“We have a deep love for animals in need, and just have a passion for this,” said Sill. “We admire the work that MAAN does every day–all those street rescues that need food or straw for abandoned or neglected animals–so we split fundraising profits between the two causes.”

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Dearborn has also been the unfortunate location of numerous animal hoarding problems, putting considerable burden on the shelter and its resources. Added to the recent trend in dumping animals either due to the economy, abundant new litters, or the oppressive heat, many shelters are now overwhelmed.

“After we received national media attention in 2009, people realized the importance of our day-to-day functions and saw we are a well-run organization,” said Sandra Boulton, public relations director for the Dearborn shelter. “So, people had added interest in helping us. It may have happened because they have seen the work we do, or they adopted an animal or took part in one of our educational outreach programs.”

Boulton said third-party fundraisers, like the bowling event, are welcomed and encouraged.

“Aleta and Michelle have created one that’s a natural extension out of what they do, and efforts like theirs are critical to the daily operation of our organization,” she said. “The animals and humans at the Dearborn Animal Shelter are grateful to them for hosting this.”

As a result, Boulton adds that a special recognition for the women will be forthcoming.

“This year, they are being awarded one of our organization's greatest honors, the ‘Big Heart Award,’ acknowledging their tireless support of the Shelter and the animals in our care,” she said.

Sill is tireless in pursuit of her sport, too.

In 21 years of competing, Sill has taken 32 tournament titles; is a member of seven halls of fame; rolled 31 perfect games of 300; had nine series of 800 or more; was named Woman Bowler of the Year twice; and is the only bowler to take Bowling’s Triple Crown twice, winning the WIBC Queens, Sam’s Town Invitational and the U.S. Open to do that.

Mullen won a record-setting nine Professional Women’s Bowling Association Regional titles, and was a PWBA National Champion, as well as coached Team USA in Korea. She has 21 perfect 300 games; sports a high series of 825; and is believed to be the only bowler to have won a bowling championship at every level, coached at every level and wrote a best-selling book, titled “Bowling Fundamentals.”

Livonia residents Sill and Mullen have four dogs and four cats between them–all rescue animals. The couple’s pro-shop–Aleta Sill’s Bowling World, which is located at Farmington Hills’s Country Lanes–also serves as a holding center for collecting and disseminating pet supplies. And a third of their charitable profit comes from online pledges.

“Our goal is helping the animals find Forever Homes, and our motto is: Don’t Shop–Adopt,” Sill said. “We are also proponents of neutering to try and control the abundance of homeless animals, and we try to help the ones that already need it.”

The 2011 Bowl-4-Animal Rescue fundraiser is scheduled from 7-11 p.m. on Aug. 6 at the Farmington Hills Country Lanes, 30250 W. Nine Mile Road in Farmington Hills. Registration is $30 in advance or $35 at the door for the event, which features 9-pin “no tap” games, karaoke, deluxe Tin Can auctions, 50/50 raffles and free food, courtesy of Red Robin and Domino’s Pizza.

“Animals give so much and expect nothing in return,” Sill said. “We’ll make sure they do benefit each year. And if I ever win the lottery, I will use that to work even harder for them.”

For more information, visit http://yourbowlingcoach.com, or http://www.facebook.com/aletasillsbowlingworld.

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