Starmax to host bowl-a-thon
By JOE L. HUGHES II Ledger Staff Writer joe@gaffneyledger.com

The bowling lanes at Starmax will be used for a good cause next weekend as the entertainment center will host a bowl-a-thon in hopes of helping thousands of Americans in their fight against leukemia.

Starmax opened earlier this year to rave reviews partially due to their combination of several movie theaters, a game room, bowling alley and sports bar. But coowner John Watkins had a bigger vision in mind, one beneficial for the facility and the community.

"We as a business came here looking to keep people here in Gaffney rather than make trips to other areas by providing good, family entertainment," Watkins said. "But doing a charity event is a step that we've wanted to make for a while and I'm happy that it is finally coming to pass.

"We've seen people afflicted and we simply want to give back so others don't have to suffer due to this disease," Watkins said.

Leukemia is the name given to four different types of blood cancers that initially begin in cells located in bone marrow. Through time, the cells grow in number and eventually crowd out normal cells.

Watkins has had a firsthand account of the effects of the disease as one of his friends lost his life after a bout with leukemia.

"He was not feeling well and went to the doctor where they told him he had leukemia," Watkins said. "After a little less than a week and his health getting worse, he died. That also is where things clicked for me that I have to make a difference."

For $25, Starmax is giving customers three games of bowling with shoes, food from the grill, soft drinks and other gifts and prizes.

By using these items to lure visitors in for the bowla thon, Watkins has set a goal of how many people he hopes will be in attendance.

"We are preparing for between 200 and 250 people," Watkins said. "It would be great to see a large crowd in this facility having a good time for a worthy cause. But if we see between 150 and 200, I believe the event was a success."