Bowling for the Davis family

Published 11:04 am Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Hundreds of bowlers turned out at Oak Mountain Lanes in Pelham Monday night to help retire the Davis family mortgage.

Oak Mountain Lanes donated 100 percent of proceeds from 3-9 p.m. to go towards retiring the mortgage of fallen Pelham police officer Philip Davis’ home. Davis left behind a wife and two children.

Dozens of other businesses were on hand for the event, while there was also an inflatable for the kids, demonstrations by the Pelham Police and Fire Departments and a silent auction.

Chip Pearce of Pearce and Associates auctioned off the items, which included an Auburn football signed by head coach Gene Chizik, an Alabama football signed by head coach Nick Saban and a NASCAR helmet signed by Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Oak Mountain Lanes Marketing Director Robert Fox said the support Monday night was overwhelming, with people coming from all over the area to bowl for the Davis family.

“It’s very important to support our community and support this cause,” Fox said. “You don’t have to live in Pelham to come together for this cause.”

Pelham High School business teacher and Future Business Leaders of America sponsor Scott Blair and members of the Pelham FBLA were just a few of the hundreds who came out to support the cause.

“The FBLA supports the community in any way we can,” said Diana Padilla, Pelham FBLA president. “This community really comes together in times of need, and with this officer leaving behind a family, it’s our responsibility to do what we can do to help. That’s the way it should be.”