How can you have fun, give back to the community and support a great cause all at the same time? It’s simple! KiKi Shepard and The K.I.S Foundation host its 12th Annual Celebrity Bowling Challenge to ‘raise awareness of Sickle Cell Disease’ this Saturday, September 26, 2015. The night of fun and charity will be held at PINZ Entertainment Center 12655 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA, 91604. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with celebrity bowlers, sponsors and supporters walking the Red carpet and playing a 2-game bowling tournament at 8pm. There will be on-site bone marrow registration, opportunity drawings, awards, surprise entertainment, food and a variety of event goodies.
“As we celebrate the 12th anniversary of the “Celebrity Bowling Challenge”, I remain extremely grateful to our amazing supporters. It takes a village to make a difference in the lives of many. The K.I.S. Foundation, Inc. is proud to be a part of that global village. We remain committed to educating the public about SCD, and are dedicated to improving the social health and quality of life for SCD patients and families here in Southern California. That is exactly what the Celebrity Bowling Challenge does and has done, year after year,” says Founder KiKi Shepard.
Raising awareness for Sickle Cell has always been a personal mission for KiKi Shepard (Actress/ Host of “It’s Showtime at The Apollo”) since she discovered she carries the SCD trait and lost a close friend to this crippling disease. KiKi, her celebrity friends, and corporate supporters will bowl-a-strike to raise awareness of Sickle Cell Disease and the need to get tested NOW!
Confirmed and invited celebrities lending their support in the charitable event include: James Pickens Jr. (Grey’s Anatomy), Chandra Wilson (Grey’s Anatomy), Rocky Carroll (NCIS), Super Bowl/Dancing with the Stars Champion Donald Driver, Jussie Smollett and Derek Luke (EMPIRE), Devon Franklin, Megan Good, Aldis Hodge (Straight Outta Compton), Dondre’ T. Whitfield (Real Husbands of Hollywood), Jenifer Lewis, Marsai Martin, Marcus Scribner & Yara Shahidi (cast of Black’ish), Lisa Vidal, Aaron Spears, BJ Britt and Brely Evans (Being Mary Jane) and many, many more.
Chairman of the Board, Actress Vanessa Bell Calloway says, “The K.I.S.Foundation has been supporting the Los Angeles Sickle Cell community for almost 10 years. As a board member, the newly appointed Chairman of The Board, and a person that has been directly affected by Sickle Cell, I encourage everyone to support us in our efforts as we try to make a difference in the lives of those affected.”
Interested sponsors and bowlers can participate on various levels: Lane sponsors $2,500; Teams $800 (includes 4 bowlers plus a celebrity); Individual bowlers $150; Non-bowlers $75. All proceeds are tax-deductible. Sponsorship opportunities and tickets are available and can be purchased online at www.thekisfoundation.org. This year’s efforts will support the initiatives of the K.I.S Foundation’s programs –the Crises Care Package and the Catch-Up Program!
