Number of Participants: 9
Hours Donated: 4
Value of Time Served: $1,252
Event Type: Children & Youth
Activity: Bowling
School: Pierz High School
Date: November 9, 2025
Location:
Pierz Healy High School
Kamnic Street, Pierz
Minnesota
About:
A favorite event for the Pierz Special Olympics Unified Team looked a little different this year, but it turned out to be a strike!
In the past, the team would travel to Brainerd for a huge two-day bowling event hosted by the Minnesota Special Olympics. It was a day filled with fun, good company from many area schools, and an exciting all-you-can-eat pizza lunch!
Sadly, that big event had to be canceled this year because the cost increased and was more than what was budgeted for. “Big bummer,” as one coach described it.
A New Plan: Unified Communities
Instead of giving up, the coaches and advisors from Pierz and Little Falls Special Olympics decided to team up! They put their heads together and planned a brand-new, combined event for their athletes.
The goal wasn’t to replace the old tradition, but to keep the same kind of positive, energized atmosphere. They found a great spot at Bennington’s Entertainment Center in Little Falls, which was happy to host the athletes.
It was amazing to watch two neighboring communities work together to make this day special! This teamwork truly brought their uniform message to life: “Live Unified.”
Hours of Fun for All
The athletes enjoyed two straight hours of bowling, cheering each other on as pins flew! After the lanes went quiet, the Pierz team kept the party going by heading to Pizza Ranch for lunch.
The day was packed with laughs and smiles, making memories that will surely last long after the final ball was rolled.
A special thank you goes out to Kara Schilling from the Little Falls team for coordinating with the bowling alley to make this successful new tradition happen!
