IBEW Bowlers benefit Shriners’ Hospital for Children

The union’s lime green shirts lit up the alley.

Angie Rarey and Roland Rubio give a thumbs up.

Eric Sunderland is a member of the organizing committee

Raj Baines-Sohal with her kids

Jennifer Gray and Steve Gallow serve on the organizing committee.

Allan Yip is an IBEW member at the PG&E Contact Center in Sacramento.

Ean Charles, a member of the organizing committee, with his son Ean.

Tiffany Bradley is a steward at the Sacramento Contact Center.

The IBEW Local 1245 Executive Board provided prizes for the winning team—gift certificates to a restaurant, a gas station, and a moviehouse. Everyone who signed up for the event received a t-shirt and a raffle ticket.

No one would mistake the IBEW bowlers for professionals, but that didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s spirits.

“I bowled right around a hundred,” acknowledged Sunderland. “Or below, maybe.” He said some of the other SMUD bowlers had scores that were probably double his own.

“I’m a horrible bowler, but I had a good time.”

Children with medical problems got a helping hand last month from the first-ever IBEW 1245 Sacramento Regional Charity Bowl.

Dozens of union members and supporters came to Country Club Lanes on April 28 to raise a little hell – and a nice chunk of change for the Shriners Hospital for Children.

Ray Padilla, Troy Hearne, Elo Whatley and Jeff Hill took home trophies for the top team score, but everyone shared in the day’s real victory: raising $1,013 to help children with medical needs.

“People felt good that it was for charity. I had people who weren’t able to show up but gave money to me for the charity anyway,” said Eric Sunderland, an IBEW member at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. “The guys have all gotten back to me that they had a great time and they’re wondering when it’s going to happen again.”

The event was the brainchild of the IBEW 1245 Sacramento Regional Organizing Committee which, in addition to Sunderland, includes Jennifer Gray, Jammi Angeles, Donchele Soper, Ean Charles and Steve Gallow.

“We had 47 registered bowlers and others folks who came out to support,” said Gray. Players came from PG&E and SMUD, but many teams sported players from both.

“You’re all sitting there together so there was a chance for people to mingle and talk. From the pictures you can tell people had a great time,” said Gray, who served as photographer.

Steve Gallow circulated voter registration cards during the event, signing up about a half-dozen voters.

“We know the Corporate Deception Act is going to be a big issue for unions this year,” said Gray. “We want to educate members about this issue. We’ve started to spread the word at unit meetings and we figured this would be a good place to do it as well.

Donchele Soper played the lead role in organizing a raffle for the event, soliciting prizes from an auto service, a tax professional, a nail salon and a taqueria. Country Club Lanes chipped in with laser tag passes and free games of bowling.

The winning team, from left: Ray Padilla, Troy Hearne, Greg Baynard (non-playing coach), Elo Whatley and Jeff Hill.

Almost four dozen registered for the event.

Troy Hearne and Jeff Hill

Antonio San Nicolas and Alicia Alibando