Free bowling party celebrates health and safe Logan County

[February 23, 2019]  The Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital Community Health Collaborative is joining with Lincoln/Logan County Crimestoppers to celebrate a substance-free and healthy community with a free community bowling party on Sunday, March 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Participants will receive one free game of bowling, free shoe rental, free lunch and can enter to win giveaways. The event will take place at Logan Lanes located at 1700 Fifth Street in Lincoln.

“This is a popular annual event that provides a free opportunity for family time,” said Angela Stoltzenburg, ALMH Community Health Collaborative director. “We enjoy partnering with Lincoln/Logan Crimestoppers to bring this activity to our community.”

Lincoln/Logan County Crimestoppers will be providing free fingerprinting for children. Informational booths will be available at the event to promote healthy lifestyles and choices. The importance of parent involvement will also be highlighted.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that teens are much more likely to delay drinking when they feel they have a close, supportive tie with a parent or guardian. Furthermore, the NIAAA website states that “parents disapproval of youthful alcohol use is the key reason children choose not to drink. So make no mistake: You can make a difference.”

According to the 2018 Illinois Youth Survey, 89% of Logan County 10th graders reported that their parents would think it was wrong or very wrong for them to drink alcohol regularly. By 12th grade, only 71% felt that way. And according to the same survey less than half (48%) of students reported their parents had talked to them about not using alcohol in the past year.

“We hope to encourage parents to talk to their children about drug and alcohol use and to set clear expectations. We know that teens who drink are more likely to have problems in school, have unprotected sex, and develop alcohol dependence as an adult. As we work to create a healthy community, we want to support parents in their efforts to create strong parent-child relationships and talk to their kids about healthy habits,” said Stoltzenburg.

To learn more about the work of the ALMH Community Health Collaborative, visit ALMH.org.

[Angela L. Stoltzenburg, MBA
Community Health Collaborative, Director
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital]