Crime & Safety
O'Fallon Police Bowl For Joplin
Local police officers are hosting a bowling tournament on Saturday to raise money to benefit the Joplin residents hit hard by tornadoes earlier this week.
are trading in their usual uniforms for bowling shoes this weekend to help raise money for .
The police are hosting a bowling tournament from 2-5 p.m. Saturday at at 420 Sonderen St.
The tournament costs $120 for a four-person team to play three games. All profits from the tournament will be sent straight to Joplin.
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“These people literally lost everything. It’s just complete devastation,” O’Fallon officer James Klingler said. “The emergency service providers out there are still serving their community, and they have nothing to go home to either, so we’re trying to help them.”
Klingler is a member of the O’Fallon Police Officers Association, which represents O’Fallon officers and organizes charity events to support BackStoppers, the St. Charles County foster care program and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
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Klingler said when he first helped organize the bowling tournament, the plan was to raise money for these organizations. After Sunday’s tornado, which is being called one of the most deadly in state history, the group decided to help out those hit hard by the storm.
“Were supporting Joplin because it’s local, and we’re helping our own,” Klingler told O’Fallon Patch Friday. “A lot of police officers are working 12-hour shifts down there with no home to go to.”
Klingler said as of Friday afternoon, the tournament has six to eight teams signed up, including several O’Fallon police officers, Olivette police officers, a group from Scott Air Force Base, a group from the and a few civilians.
There’s still room for more to sign up. Klingler said O’Fallon Bowl can hold 120 people.
“Our goal is to fill the place,” he said, adding that anyone can sign up by showing up at the bowling alley at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
O’Fallon Police, with help from the Civilian Emergency Response Team (CERT) and deputies from St. Charles County, will be outside local businesses on Sunday afternoon collecting money and supplies for Joplin tornado victims.
“Whatever anyone wants to donate, we'll be there to collect,” Klingler said, adding that the O’Fallon police will coordinate with other local law enforcement to organize a convoy to take supplies to Joplin sometime next week.
Police will be collecting donations at:
- Dierbergs at 2979 Highway K
- Shop ’n Save at 1421 Mexico Loop Road East and 7909 Highway K
- Schnucks at 3029 Highway K and 8660 Veterans Memorial Parkway
- Lowe's at 8501 Mexico Rd
- Gordmans at 2259 Highway K
- Sears at 2947 Highway K
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