Jake’s Bowling Social raising money for Ronald McDonald House for sixth time

Jake’s Bowling Social, a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Southwestern Ontario, will return to Mike’s Bowling Lanes on May 31.

Jake Sippel, 18, is once again giving back to the charity that helped him and his family during a hospital stay.

The sixth Jake’s Bowling Social will return to Mike’s Bowling Lanes on May 31 with slots starting at 11:30 a.m. The event will raise money for Ronald McDonald House Southwestern Ontario and will feature a penny raffle and bake sale. Sippel is also hoping to have every lane sponsored by local businesses.

"My whole goal is to give back to the charity that helped me and hopefully help provide some comfort to kids going through potentially similar experiences,” Sippel said. “I know for me having my parents was amazing and I know it would be that way for every single kid out there so if I can help even just one family, one kid, have their parents close to them during their time of need, that's really what I'll do it for."

When Sippel was three years old, he stayed at the London Children’s Hospital recovering from second-degree burns on 40 per cent of the lower half of his body from a hot tub accident. His family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House Southwestern Ontario during his recovery, and it made the hospital stay more comfortable.

"I remember specifically the tub, like a bath tub kind of thing so you can wash, I remember that being very scary so luckily my mom was able to come with me to those appointments and because she was so close and so having her for that was really nice because I was sleeping somewhere that wasn't my own home,” he said.

Throughout the years of Jake’s Bowling Social, there are new and returning players ready to bowl to support the charity. The event also grows year after year.

"From year one, we only started at two timeslots. This year, we're trying to fill up four, so seeing that really shows how the community has come together and realized how much one community can really do for such an amazing charity,” Sippel said.

For more information, contact Sippel by either sending an email to jakesippel33@icloud.com or call or text 226-860-1881.