NEWS RELEASE: (February 1, 2024) – Nancy Schenk of Fayetteville, N.C., has been named Board Chair of BVL (Bowlers To Veterans Link), a 501c3 charity dedicated to funding recreation therapy programs that address the emotional and physical needs of veterans and active-duty military personnel.
Schenk, who joined the BVL Board in 2022, is the owner and GM of B&B Bowling Lanes in Fayetteville and previously served as president of the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America from 2016-18. Schenk joined her father Howard Baum in the BPAA Hall of Fame in 2022 when she also received the Victor Lerner Memorial Medal from BPAA.
In addition to BVL, Scheck currently serves on the USBC and PWBA Hall of Fame boards. Schenk, who earned her Chemical Engineering degree from North Carolina State University and previously worked as a management consultant, lives in Fayetteville with her husband, Gary who she met on the NCSU bowling team.
“It is an honor to be selected to chair the BVL Board,” said Schenk. “I look forward to serving with BVL’s amazing board to continue growing our financial support and providing essential recreation therapy opportunities for America’s 19 million veterans.”
Schenk, who is the daughter of a veteran, grew up in Fayetteville which is also the home of Fort Liberty. “I understand what veterans have done for this country and they deserve our unwavering support and gratitude. It’s a privilege to be part of BVL’s mission to always be there for those who have served.”
Schenk succeeds long-time BVL Board Chair John LaSpina of Long Beach, N.Y., who joined the BVL Board in 2012 and served as Chair from 2014-2023. During that time, LaSpina spearheaded BVL’s strongest fundraising years as the organization raised more than $10 million over the past decade and announced BVL’s largest-ever donation of $500,000 last year to support MyndVR virtual reality therapy as well as a wide variety of recreation therapy programs through the Vet Center.
LaSpina is also president of Maple Family Centers which has been BVL’s biggest bowling center donor for several years with more than $620,000 raised since 2008. LaSpina was recently named as the recipient of the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the National Association of State Veterans Homes for his work with BVL and veterans. LaSpina will remain on the BVL Board as a BPAA representative.
In addition to Schenk and LaSpina, other BVL Board members are:
- Amy Arcuri of Arlington, TX (BPAA Representative)
- Darlene Baker of Mahomet, IL (USBC Representative)
- Jay Buhl of Henrico, VA (At-Large Representative)
- Lisa Ciniello of Bonita Springs, FL (BPAA Representative)
- Anthony Colangelo of Meridian, ID (USBC Representative)
- Corey Dykstra of Comstock Park, MI (At-Large Representative)
- Dennis Hacker of Longtown, MO (USBC Representative)
- Keith Hamilton of Park Ridge, IL (At-Large Representative)
- Chrissy Lee of Tampa, FL (USBC Representative)
- Wally Hall of Pasadena, MD (Director Emeritus)
BVL was established in 1942 when bowlers across America rallied to raise funds for purchasing planes to transport wounded servicemen and women back home from World War II. Since its inception, the bowling community has raised over $56 million to support those who have served. BVL funds recreation therapy programs that address the emotional and physical needs of veterans and active-duty military, including sports, music, crafts, technology, and adaptive equipment for rehabilitation activities. BVL is a national nonprofit 501 (c) (3) charity that is consistently acknowledged for efficient and effective programming delivered with extremely low overhead. BVL has been recognized as one of “America’s Best Charities” by Independent Charities of America, earned a “Top-Rated” Nonprofit distinction from GreatNonprofits, and is also a member of the Combined Federal Campaign (#93325).