For me, Chuck, Junior Achievement is an organization dear to my heart! They really are the only national organization helping educate our teenagers about business, economics and our free market system. I used to regularly go into Manitou Springs High School and teach JA's Project Business, maybe 25 years ago - I would relieve Rob Quarry's teaching duties for an hour each week. There was no curriculum at MSHS that taught basic economics and personal finance. JA had some great course materials and my Kiwanis Club was supportive in paying for copies for each student. I totally enjoyed leading the class through the material and even a field trip or two to some local large businesses. The kids didn't get this stuff anywhere else! I have always appreciated and followed JA ever since then.
Also, going back to my pre-teen years, I was an avid and pretty good bowler! I even competed at varsity level even at CU Boulder in the 60's. I was also very committed to competitive bowling after college and even when we moved back to Manitou Springs in the late 70's. Helen and I were in a couple's league at Bear Creek Lanes on 21st street and brought our 2 kids, 6 and 4 years old, who loved watching. (THAT ALL ENDED in February of 1981 when our son drowned in a swim lesson at the Manitou Pool - being our friends, most of you know that, of course). I quit bowling then and for the past 39 years as my heart wasn't in it and it took all our energy to put our lives back together!
So, I now think it is time to resume supporting JA and also resume bowling. I got a new hip in November and have been cleared to do so by my doctor.
Therefore, I am asking you all, my friends, to support me this one time with a donation for JA through this bowling fundraiser. I am doing this to commemorate our dear son Ricky Armstrong who died 39 years ago this week. Please help me support a worthy organization, commemorate Ricky and find out if maybe it is not too late to pick back up a sport I used to love, Thanks and Blessings, dear friends. Chuck