Ron Sanders of Cañon City prepares to throw his ball during the bowling tournament May 18 benefiting the Roy Williams Foundation, an organization dedicated to preventing suicides within the veteran and first responder communities. The fundraiser made about $2,500 with 20 raffle and silent auction items. American Legion Post No. 64 Cmdr. Leisl Hammond said of the foundation, “This organization has helped out many of my veterans. They have been outstanding in stepping up and reaching out to help those veterans.” Bret Collyer, the organizer and foundation treasurer/secretary, said they are excited to be at the point where they can start awarding scholarships to young people who have family connections to military or first responders and are interested in mental health work for that community.
The Roy Williams Foundation awards a $1,000 scholarship to Salida High School senior Hayden Bevington during a fundraiser May 18. From left are Tom McConaghy, Bret Collyer, Leisl Hammond, Robin Olson, Shannon Bevington, Hayden Bevington, Hank Bevington and Markus Hugle. (Courtesy photo)
Ron Sanders of Cañon City prepares to throw his ball during the bowling tournament May 18 benefiting the Roy Williams Foundation, an organization dedicated to preventing suicides within the veteran and first responder communities. The fundraiser made about $2,500 with 20 raffle and silent auction items. American Legion Post No. 64 Cmdr. Leisl Hammond said of the foundation, “This organization has helped out many of my veterans. They have been outstanding in stepping up and reaching out to help those veterans.” Bret Collyer, the organizer and foundation treasurer/secretary, said they are excited to be at the point where they can start awarding scholarships to young people who have family connections to military or first responders and are interested in mental health work for that community.
The Roy Williams Foundation awards a $1,000 scholarship to Salida High School senior Hayden Bevington during a fundraiser May 18. From left are Tom McConaghy, Bret Collyer, Leisl Hammond, Robin Olson, Shannon Bevington, Hayden Bevington, Hank Bevington and Markus Hugle. (Courtesy photo)
Between a raffle and a silent auction, the Roy Williams Foundation raised about $2,500 at its Armed Forces Day bowling event May 18 at Split Happens Bowling Center.
Bret Collyer, foundation secretary, said they had about a dozen veterans and/or first responders participate – some brought their families.
“It was a little difficult to have a conversation with all of the excitement and noise of a bowling alley, but a good time was had by all,” he said.
During the event the foundation also awarded three $1,000 scholarships to local students who have a connection to veterans, first responders or both who are also pursuing degrees in mental health services.
One went to Salida High School senior Hayden Bevington, who will attend Fort Lewis College in Durango.
The second one went to SHS 2023 graduate Rowynn Slivka, a second scholarship from the foundation, as she has been meeting her educational goals. She will be a sophomore at University of British Columbia in the fall.
The third scholarship will go to Gloria Esparza, a senior at Buena Vista High School, who will attend Hawaii Pacific University. This scholarship was planned to be awarded at the BVHS awards ceremony May 23.
Collyer said, “We would like to thank all of our sponsors and businesses who donated items or services to the event. We would especially like to thank the Holland family and the staff at Split Happens Bowling for hosting the event.”
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