Rockville Centre bowling alley donates money to help veterans

In a display of community support, Maple Family Centers, a Rockville Centre-based family business that operates a chain of bowling centers in New York and Florida, demonstrated its commitment to enriching the lives of Long Island veterans by donating $35,000 in proceeds to two organizations that serve them.

On May 20, Maple Lanes RVC in Rockville Centre hosted the annual Bowlers to Veterans Link Tournament of Champions. During the awards ceremony that followed the tourney, John LaSpina, president of Maple Family Centers, presented a check for $25,000 to the Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook, and a $10,000 check to the Long Beach Waterfront Warriors. All of the proceeds raised during the annual tournament go to help enhance the lives of veterans through therapeutic recreational experiences and community support.

According to LaSpina, who is also chairman of the Bowlers to Veterans Link board of directors, he is proud in the fact that he is able to help raise funds each year to give back to all those who have served our country.

“I want our company to be a valuable asset for every community that we serve,” LaSpina said. “We have five locations, and I want it to be a community center that not only does business but does good things for the community and its veterans.” The bowling industry’s national charity organization, Bowlers to Veterans Link, was first created in 1942 when bowlers nationwide helped raise funds to purchase planes to bring wounded men and women in the service home from World War II.

Since that time, the organization has helped raise more than $56 million for recreation and therapeutic programs and services to address the emotional and physical needs of veterans and active-duty military.

LaSpina said that since joining the BVL board, almost a decade ago, he has devoted much of his charity work in memory of a close friend of his in the bowling industry who died shortly after 9/11. In the past year, LaSpina has helped raise $1,250,000 nationwide for the organization. Every single dollar contributed comes from individuals who have embraced its mission to support veterans.

“It’s not like someone’s writing big checks,” he said.

The Bowlers to Veterans Link Tournament of Champions, one of many charitable events organized by Maple Family Centers proudly supports the organization and its mission to help recuperate and brighten the lives of America’s veterans and active-duty service men and women.

While the choice of veteran organizations it supports rotates annually, LaSpina said that Maple Family Centers specifically chose these two groups because of their notable impact on the lives of Long Island veterans.

“It goes right to the program and its benefits for veterans,” he said.

The Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook stands as a beacon for compassion for veterans and their families, with 350 beds and adult day healthcare and rehabilitation services. The donation from Maple Family Centers provides therapeutic recreational technologies, including MyndVR, a virtual reality experience that allows users to feel like they are embarking on a wild adventure, and iN2L senior engagement technology, a platform that connects users with their interests.

LaSpina explains that they started sponsoring the use of virtual reality systems to help veterans, highlighting the incredible innovation.

“It’s all artificial intelligence just like you’re reading about,” he said proudly.

The Long Beach Waterfront Warriors, a nonprofit organization celebrating its 16th year, will also benefit from the Maple Family Centers’ contributions. The program, known as “Summer Visit,” invites 30-to-40 wounded veterans and their families to a weeklong stay at the luxurious Allegria Hotel and other private homes in Long Beach. Honored guests enjoy numerous activities, including catered meals at local restaurants, outings onboard chartered fishing boats, beachside yoga and more. Through their donation, Maple Family Centers will help create memorable moments for these brave individuals and their loved ones.

LaSpina’s decision is rooted in a belief that goes beyond financial gain, reflecting Maple Family Centers’ understanding that having a goal that can support the community is the key to success, especially in business.

Throughout the years, LaSpina said that Maple Family Centers has received a total of $600,000 from valued customer contributions. In addition to the Long Island State Veterans Home and the Long Beach Waterfront Warriors, Maple Family Centers also donates to the St. Albans VA Hospital and the Northport VA Hospital.

“We embrace something greater than just profit,” LaSpina said. “Profits are important, but how you get there is what keeps us different from other people because we believe that goodwill travels far and rings a register.”