COLUMN: Community bowled over by sisters' fundraising prowess

I recently attended a bowling fundraiser put on by local charity A Bradford Christmas, in support of Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka.

Gilda’s Club, which has its local offices on Quarry Ridge Road in Barrie, offers essential emotional support and resources for individuals impacted by cancer.

A Bradford Christmas is spearheaded by two dedicated sisters from Bradford — Emily and Sarah Dahlgren. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting them many times over the years while reporting on their selfless efforts to raise money and awareness for important local causes.

The first time I met them was when I started working at BradfordToday in 2019. I was immediately struck by the amount of time and energy they devoted to helping others.

One of the most memorable stories I covered was their 2020 holiday fundraiser, which rallied the community to raise $50,000 for the Bradford Helping Hand Food Bank. The way they were able to do this during such unprecedented times warmed my heart.

When I learned they were organizing another fundraising event for such a worthy cause, I knew I had to show my support.

On Sept. 13, they hosted a fun-filled bowling event at Bowlerama Barrie, with many local businesses stepping up as sponsors and donors all in support of Gilda’s Club.

When asked why they chose Gilda’s Club for this year’s campaign, they noted they were able to meet many non-profits last year in the Barrie area and community members who have personally benefited from the organization’s services and programs.

The sisters make sure their fundraisers are always local, which they believe (and I agree) always has a bigger impact.

Times are tough these days, which is why it’s more important than ever to give back when you can. A Bradford Christmas has an ambitious goal of raising $100,000 by the end of the year for the charity though various fundraising programs around the community.

My youngest son and I pre-registered for the Bowling Palooza event a few weeks in advance, formed our own team — Tomatohead (yes, it’s a Fortnite thing) — and headed up Highway 400 to take part.

My sweet-toothed child was immediately won over by the treat bag waiting for us on our lane, which provided just the energy boost we needed for our big game. I also bought an arm’s length of raffle tickets for a chance to win some of the amazing prizes up for grabs, including a pontoon boat ride.

By the end of the night, we were delighted when our number was called and we won a Bowlerama Barrie gift card.

My family and I frequent Bowlerama Barrie often, especially for its cosmic bowling nights, which have a cool retro vibe we love. There’s nothing better than non-touch screens, well-worn bowling shoes, and sweet tunes. We can’t wait to go back and use our prize.

The event was full of lively team spirit, with almost all lanes full of supporters. I saw many familiar Bradford faces, which was nice. Prizes were awarded for best scores and most team spirit. One team even wore turkey hats, adding to the fun.

It was nice to reconnect with Emily and Sarah, especially after not seeing them for a while. Their dedication and passion for giving back to the community remain truly inspiring. I’ve watched them grow over the years, working tirelessly to achieve charitable status, and I’m in awe of everything they’ve accomplished.

I’m eagerly looking forward to their next fundraiser for Gilda’s Club — an exciting silent auction. You can count me in for anything that involves shopping. Stay tuned.

You can learn more about this amazing cause by visiting their website here.

Natasha Philpott is a Barbie-loving, cat-obsessed writer who lives in Bradford with her husband and two boys. Her column appears semi-regularly on BarrieToday.