Sponsors needed for memorial bowling fundraiser

I invite readers and any organizations to participate in the Second Annual Purple Madness Memorial Bowling Tournament in honor of Ben Smith Jr. on Sept. 24.

Ben was a member of our Myrtle Beach Bowl youth family. He was a vibrant and curious 14-year-old. He lived with Asperger Syndrome, a neurobiological disorder on the higher functioning end of the Autism spectrum. His “oddities” which resulted from Asperger’s often led to him being a victim of bullying.

Tragically, on Sept. 30, 2014, Ben succumbed to the many pressures he felt and took his own life. Ben’s family decided that they did not want other families to suffer from the loss of a loved one, therefore they made a donation to LifePoint Inc. In 2013, a person died from suicide every 12.8 minutes. Moreover, the suicide rate for teens and young adults under the age of 24 is 10.9 making suicide the third leading cause of death for this age group.

Additionally, for every successful suicide there are 12 attempted suicides. These statistics are shocking. Myrtle Beach Bowl and Ben’s family would like to help prevent another tragedy like Ben’s. This tournament will provide a platform to spread awareness and to fundraise for the following local organizations: Coastal Samaritan, SOS Health Care, LifePoint Inc. and Help4Kids. These organizations have been an important part of Ben’s family as they continue the healing process.

Coastal Samaritan’s mission is in part “to assist people on their journey toward healing and wellness.” Their approach is holistic, believing a person’s wellness is contingent upon the successful integration of “mind, body, spirit, and community.” In addition to other services Coastal Samaritan provides counseling for victims of bullying and suicide prevention.

SOS Health Care’s vision is “to be an organization that is proactive” in their mission “to provide hope, care, and assistance” to the community. Their Autism Community Education program is dedicated to creating a supportive community for children and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. They do this by educating the public in the special and sensory needs of these children.

LifePoint Inc. is the designated Organ Procurement Organization for South Carolina. They provide donations to 62 South Carolina hospitals. Their mission includes providing professional and public education about organ/tissue donating and to provide “educational and emotional support to families” during an emotionally difficult period.

Help4Kids has been serving Horry county for 25 years. Their mission is for children “to grow and learn” while receiving “basic needs” such as food and proper clothing. Their BackPack Buddy program feeds over 3100 children from 28 Horry County schools each week.

We are seeking sponsors who are willing to donate items such as event tickets, gift cards, free passes, etc. that can be utilized as prizes for drawings or monetary donations to assist in our goal. I welcome any comments or questions regarding the details of your sponsorship and look forward to forming a mutually beneficial partnership. Thank you in advance for your consideration and support.

This story was originally published January 18, 2016 at 8:48 AM with the headline "Sponsors needed for memorial bowling fundraiser."