Boston Red Sox All-Star Pitcher Josh Beckett, Local Stars and Athletes Throw Strikes for Children at Third Annual Beckett Bowl
Star-Studded Lineup of Boston’s Hottest Celebrities, Athletes, Musicians, and Comedians Compete in Celebrity Bowling Tournament to Benefit Children’s Hospital
Beckett to Host Beckett Bowl After-Party Featuring Josh Beckett and Friends; Special Performance by Country Music Star Pat Green
BOSTON (August 25, 2009) – Boston Red Sox All-Star pitcher Josh Beckett will throw strikes of a different kind on September 10, when he hangs up his cleats and laces up a pair of bowling shoes at the third-annual Beckett Bowl, a star-studded bowling tournament held at Lucky Strike Lanes in Boston. Beckett spoke to the media about the event today while signing special Beckett Bowl branded bowling pins at a Fenway Park news conference.
The fun-filled evening will begin at 6 p.m. with red-carpet arrivals and autograph session. The bowling tournament will kick off at 7:30 p.m. and festivities will conclude with the official Absolut Beckett Bowl After-Party at the House of Blues with Josh Beckett and friends. The after-party will feature celebrity appearances and live entertainment, including performances by Texas country music star Pat Green, Matt Cline and DJ Buddy Costa. Absolut is the presenting sponsor of the official Beckett Bowl After-Party.
A limited number of tickets for Beckett Bowl and the Absolut Beckett Bowl After-Party are available now at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets for the bowling event are $250 and after-party tickets are $45.
In advance of the event, Beckett will host an online raffle at netRaffle.org to benefit The Josh Beckett Foundation. The winner will receive a celebrity bowling package to bowl with the stars at the tournament, as well as a special experiential fantasy day at Fenway Park. Raffle tickets are $2 with a minimum purchase of five tickets and can be purchased now at netRaffle.org. The winner will be selected on Monday, September 7, 2009. For more information, visit netRaffle.org.
“We are overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from the local sports and business communities over the last two years,” said Beckett. “They’ve really pulled together to help kids, and as a result of those efforts, we were fortunate enough to open the Josh Beckett Cancer Treatment room at Children’s Hospital Boston. But this is only the beginning. I’m thrilled to be back this September to rally around these deserving children and make an even greater impact.”
The annual Beckett Bowl fundraising event is organized by The Josh Beckett Foundation, which supports community-based programs that improve the health and well-being of children, especially those who are seriously ill, disabled, poor, or otherwise disadvantaged. Since its inception in 2007, Beckett Bowl has raised more than $500,000 to benefit the Foundation and the event’s primary beneficiary, Children’s Hospital Boston.
“Children’s has taken the lead in radically improving survival rates for pediatric cancer through cutting-edge research and exceptional inpatient care,” said Children’s Hospital Boston CEO James Mandell, MD. “Gifts from generous individuals like Josh will help us continue our work to save kids’ lives.”
The all-star lineup of celebrities participating in the 2009 Beckett Bowl includes current and past Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, and New England
Revolution players, along with actors, comedians, musicians, and celebrity chefs with New England ties. Past Beckett Bowls have attracted some of Boston’s top professional athletes and celebrities, including Jacoby Ellsbury, Jonathan Papelbon, Jon Lester, David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield and Mike Lowell; HBO’s Entourage star Adrian Grenier; performer Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of legendary hip-hop trio Run DMC; Celtics Paul Pierce and Glen “Big Baby” Davis; Boston Bruins Patrice Bergeron and Milan Lucic; New England Patriots Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Adalius Thomas, and Steve Gostkowski; New England Revolution stars Matt Reis and Taylor Twellman; and many more.
In November, Children’s Hospital Boston will honor Beckett as the recipient of the 2009 “Champion Award” at the organization’s annual fundraising gala, Champions for Children’s. The award recognizes athletes for their work off the field, enriching the lives of children. The prestigious event, which features athletes and representatives from all five local professional sports teams, has raised nearly $20 million dollars in support of kids battling disease.
Big Night Entertainment Group, Platinum Marketing, Absolut, The Upper Crust, Liberty Bay Credit Union, IRA, Reebok, Red Sox Foundation, Pro Print, Rockstar, Liberty Hotel, Nixon Peabody, Bank of New England, NESN, WCVB-TV, Boston Herald, and the Improper Bostonian are working with the Foundation in support of Beckett Bowl.
About The Josh Beckett Foundation
The Josh Beckett Foundation is a charitable organization established in 2007 by Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett to support community-based programs that strive to improve the health and well-being of children, especially children who are seriously ill, disabled, poor, or otherwise disadvantaged. The Foundation provides Beckett with an opportunity to have a direct and permanent impact on the lives of children throughout New England and in his hometown of Spring, Texas. Since its inception, Beckett Bowl has raised more than $500,000 for The Josh Beckett Foundation and Children’s Hospital Boston.
In 2008 the hospital unveiled the Josh Beckett Cancer Treatment Room, which features Boston Red Sox imagery including Beckett and his teammates, crowd scenes, and the historic Fenway Park sign.
