For the past five years, Mary Czerwinski and her family have bowled in memory of her brother, Anthony, who passed away in 2008 before he was able to receive heart surgery.
When he lost his health insurance along with his job, Anthony’s doctor recommended he go to Huiras Family Ozaukee Community Health Clinic in Mequon a free clinic at Columbia St. Mary’s Ozaukee Hospital. Huiras provides non-emergency, urgent or primary health care, with referrals to eye, dental, and medical specialists, and offers care for a variety of health problems.
When her brother died, Czerwinski and her family decided they would get together every year and go bowling in his honor; they had no idea what it would become.
“The first year it was just family,” she said. “As people found out about it, more and more people wanted to play.”
The family now hosts a Bowling Event at Circle B Recreation Center in Grafton; where her brother used to bowl. The event, Tony’s Bowling Buddy Bash, now raises awareness and money for the Huiras Family Clinic.
During the past four years the event has raised more than $33,000. Last year, a record 125 people bowled in the event.
Family members collect donations of prizes from businesses in the Ozaukee community and solicit donations of prizes from businesses and individuals in the Ozaukee community.
Sharon Streff, manager of Columbia St. Mary’s Huiras Family Ozaukee Community Health Clinic nominated the Czerwinski family for the award.
“Although the Czerwinski’s started the event to honor Tony’s memory, their drive and commitment have turned it into much more, raising awareness of Huiras and the funds needed to support it,” Streff said. “Tony Czerwinski was a bowling buddy to so many. Now the members of his family are bowling buddies to all those in Ozaukee County who are most vulnerable — and who turn to Huiras for health care that they might not receive otherwise.”
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