Fourth annual Bowls for Hope event to benefit free clinic

UW-River Falls is hosting the fourth annual Bowls for Hope event on the UWRF campus, from 5-7 p.m., on Tuesday, March 12, in the Riverview Ballroom of the University Center. Each year UWRF works with the community to raise funds through Bowls for Hope for a worthy organization that makes a difference in the St. Croix Valley. Proceeds this year will benefit the Free Clinic of Pierce and St. Croix Counties.

For an entrance fee of $20/adult and $5/children 12 and under, participants will select and keep a bowl that was created in ceramic/pottery classes at UWRF, River Falls High School, Meyer Middle School, the Renaissance Academy or by area artists. Attendees may then sample, at no extra charge, soups donated and served by area restaurants. Guests will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite soup of the evening.

The Free Clinic of Pierce and St. Croix Counties serves approximately 700 patients a year, more than 60 percent of whom have household incomes below the Federal Poverty Level. For every one dollar raised, the Free Clinic of Pierce and St. Croix Counties can provide $33 of prescription medications.

“Every Tuesday night we have new patients that qualify for services,” said Mary Conroy-Johnson, chair of the Free Clinic of Pierce and St. Croix Counties’ Board of Directors. “A high percentage of the new patients have chronic illnesses that require regular prescriptions. Funds raised from the Bowls for Hope event will be used primarily to obtain diabetic test strips, as resources that allowed the clinic to obtain them at a discounted price have dried up.”

The 2012 Bowls for Hope event raised $5,500 for the River Falls Community Food Pantry. To date, Bowls for Hope has raised more than $15,000 for local charitable organizations.
Tickets to the event can be purchased at the River Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau (214 N. Main Street) or by contacting the UWRF Chancellor’s Office at 715-425-3201. Tickets will also be available at the door, but purchasing a ticket in advance will guarantee a bowl.

Artists contributing bowls include Doug Johnson, Ingrid Bjerstedt-Rogers, Bob Fritz, S.C. Rolf, Diane Webster, Joe Singewald, Doug Peterson, Bob Brodersen, Wendy Olson, Ben Gavin, Jay Jensen, Jennifer King, Michael Luethmers, Dan Nistler, Scott Zeinert, Randy Johnston, Jan McKeachie-Johnston, Randy Johnston’s class at UWRF, Anne Buchholz’s class at the Renaissance Academy, River Falls High School pottery classes taught by Gina Pedriana-Basche, and Kelyn King’s class at Meyer Middle School.

Participating restaurants include UWRF Sodexo Dining Services, Dish & the Spoon Café, Juniors Bar & Grill, Paddy Ryan’s Irish Pub, Perkins Family Restaurant, South Fork Café, West Wind Supper Club, Bo’s N Mine, Copper Kettle, Coach’s Bar & Grill, Whole Earth Co-op and River Falls Hospital Sodexo Dining Services.

“It is wonderful for us to be associated with such a classy, fun event,” Conroy-Johnson said.

For more information, visit http://www.uwrf.edu/bowlsforhope or contact Mary Van Galen at mary.vangalen@uwrf.edu.