Rhode Island hosted first Wheelchair Bowling Tournament benefiting veterans, military

The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau and Rhode Island Sports Commission announced the Patton-Stevens Foundations Fall Classic hosted by Wheelchair Bowlers of America, and the first-time, four-day bowling tournament, a partnership between Wheelchair Bowlers of America, the Matthew Patton Foundation, and the Stevens Family Foundation, brought awareness to the difficulties Veterans and active duty military members face.

The tournament ran October 24-27 at East Providence Lanes. Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva, and Director of the Office of Veterans Services Kasim Yarn spoke at the tournament’s Opening Ceremonies.

Here are photos from the event:

The Matthew Patton Foundation was founded by Lynn and John Patton, the parents of Matthew Patton, an Army Veteran and Mount Hope High School graduate who died by suicide in 2013. Matthew joined the Army in 2008, serving for 5 years including a deployment to Afghanistan. The foundation’s mission is to improve the military mental health system as well as educate and advocate for all Service members to ensure their needs are met. 

The Stevens Family Foundation seeks to raise awareness by honoring, empowering, and improving the lives of those with special needs so that they are seen as the gifts that they are. 

Wheelchair Bowlers of America was founded in 2021 by a disabled veteran who enjoys the sport of bowling. The board consists largely of Veterans, but Wheelchair Bowlers of America is open to anyone in a wheelchair who wishes to participate in or learn the art of bowling, with or without adaptive equipment.