| Events |
Bowl-O-Rama Raises $6,300 for Local Charities
On Thursday, June 11, 2026 the San Mateo County REALTORS® Foundation returned to Bel Mateo Bowl for its eighth annual Bowl-O-Rama fundraiser event assembling scores of SAMCAR members, staff, and friends for an lively evening of bowling, prizes, and community, raising $6,300 to benefit housing-related charities in San Mateo County.
View photos by Craig Burleigh on Flickr
Volunteers from SAMCAR's Special Events Committee greeted guests to the bowling alley where Bel Mateo Bowl staff provided exceptional hospitality including plentiful food and drink, and continuous support throughout the exhilarating two hour event.
A select few bowlers were awarded for their skill and dedication at the event, including:
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Highest Score: Jeff Carion (General Mortgage Capital Corporation)
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Fastest Ball: Erik Woodruff (Star One Credit Union)
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Best Team: WFG National Title
Each winner was awarded with a special prize package in addition to the prestigious title. And all attendees present also had the opportunity to win a number of prizes as well. Items in the prize packages included gift certificates and merchandise donated by SAMCAR, members, and local businesses, listed in the event program.
As one of the signature #SAMCARGivesBack fundraising events, the Bowl-O-Rama directly benefits the SAMCAR Foundation so the group can provide grants to local charities for the remainder of the year.
Each quarter, the Foundation Council reviews grant requests from local charities and proudly supports organizations including Rebuilding Together Peninsula, Samaritan House, Foster City Village, CORA Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse, Nuestra Casa, Society of St. Vincent de Paul of San Mateo County and many others.
Funds for these grants are raised at fundraiser events like the Bowl-O-Rama in addition to direct contributions by SAMCAR members.
In addition to generating vital fundraising for Foundation grants, special events like the Bowl-O-Rama also create opportunities for face-to-face interactions and relationship building that are essential to the real estate business, in an informal and fun setting.
SAMCAR events are possible in large part thanks to generous contributions from annual sponsors—organizations that make annual contributions to SAMCAR to fund association activities and charitable fundraising.
Planning and staffing these events are only possible with the support of SAMCAR staff and the Special Events Committee, a group of SAMCAR members who volunteer their time to plan and staff events, chaired by Christina Galletti and vice-chair Margaret Faherty in 2026 with support from volunteers Andrea Bologna, Andrew Rodriguez, Ann Palermo, Betcy Jacob, Craig Thorson, Denise Ventura, Jim Enes, Marlin Handley, Michelle Velez, Paisley Vartanian, Sabrina Weidner, Sofia Costantini, Toni Burrows, Trevor Cook, Val Hardwick and Veronica Mora. These committee members are responsible for collecting prize donations, setting up for the event, running the guest check-in table, and making announcements.
The SAMCAR Foundation encourages housing-related nonprofits operating in San Mateo County to apply for grants from www.samcarfoundation.org Grant application deadlines February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15 to be considered during that quarter.
Press Release 
