WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Warren County) — Nearly 200 bowlers came together Aug. 8 and 9 at Oakwood Lanes in Washington for a two-day Bowl-a-thon hosted by the Hackettstown and Washington Rotary Clubs, raising more than $16,000 for community initiatives.
Rob Plenge, owner of Oakwood Lanes, donated the facility and staff for the fundraiser, while multiple sponsors stepped forward to support the event. After expenses, net proceeds totaled just under $12,000, which will be divided between the two Rotary clubs and distributed to community organizations and initiatives in Warren County.
The event was chaired by Rotarians Denise Maguire of Maguire Memorial Home in Hackettstown and Jackie McLaughlin of the Washington Rotary.
Organizers thanked the many lane sponsors and attendees who supported the wine pull, tricky tray and 50/50 raffle. Special thanks went to Good Impressions Printing for banner support, along with Hackettstown Rotarians Melissa Nichols, who led 50/50 sales, and Robin Palmer-Burton, who ran the wine-pull fundraiser. Jeff Price won the 50/50 raffle, taking home $3,900.
“I had a blast!” said Linda Poissereux, director of the Institute of Entrepreneurship at Centenary University. “I came intending not to bowl, but I was lured into some cute bowling shoes, and I had a great time!”
A Bowl-a-thon for 2026 is already being planned, with details to be announced soon.
The Hackettstown and Washington Rotary Clubs are part of Rotary International, a global network of 1.4 million members committed to solving issues and supporting community needs. The Hackettstown Rotary alone donates more than $35,000 annually to over 35 local organizations.
