Wayne Laynes Bowling Alley
Donation protected
Many in Waynesboro, VA are devastated from the loss of Wayne Lanes Bowling Alley after the heavy snowfall caused the roof to collapse Saturday night January 23, 2016. The Lavender family have owned and operated Wayne Lanes for 35 years and are at a loss for words as to what this means to them. Shawn Lavender describes the devastation like losing a family member.
The business has been declared a total loss and the Lavender family is unsure of what the future holds. The community is heartbroken over the loss of this long standing business that provided such a warm and friendly atmosphere to gather and spend time with friends and family. Bowling provides a stress free escape for people of all ages to enjoy and this alley will be greatly missed. Please keep the family and employees of Wayne Lanes in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this overwhelming loss.
Funding is needed to help support the family and employees as they go through this difficult process and are able to determine if rebuilding is a viable option.
A little more about the Lavender family:
The bowling alley was like a second home for the Lavenders. Shawn has worked there since he was a child and has dedicated his career to making this center what it is today. The whole family would help out when needed. Shawn's wife, Sharon would often work on weekends and during tournaments and Shawn's daughter, Maddy just started helping too. Wayne Lanes has hosted many PBA tournaments (every year for the last 10+ years) and all family members would all be there working and helping...Shawn's mom, Shawn, Sharon and Maddy. Shawn's other two children, Colton and Riley would be there as well just hanging out spending time with their extended bowling family. The whole family bowls and all 3 kids bowl in the youth league. The kids are heartbroken and worried about what the future holds. They grew up in the bowling alley and it is just part of who they are. When Shawn's & Sharon's youngest son Riley saw the building he just kept asking "Mommy, what are we going to do? Who is going to fix daddy's bowling alley so he can work?". Heartbreaking. Shawn now has nowhere to go each day. He spends a good portion of this day sitting in his truck in the parking lot on phone calls, dealing with the insurance company and handling all the other difficult tasks associated with this loss. There has been a tremendous outreach from family, friends, fellow bowlers and the community which has been very humbling. It says a lot about Shawn and what he has built with this business. This alley is not only part of the Lavenders' lives but part of the employees; Chad, Chad's daughter who just started helping out, Jetanna and Mike and so many reliable patrons (many that are like family to the Lavenders and the employees of Wayne Lanes). It's scary and overwhelming for the Lavenders and the dedicated employees right now because there is so much uncertainty. The Lavenders have to trust and believe that God brought this challenge for a reason and somehow..together we will all (The Lavenders, employees, patrons, & community) will come through this stronger.
Some Articles and interviews regarding Wayne Lanes:
http://www.bowlersjournal.com/?p=12097
http://www.whsv.com/video?videoid=3406892
An great article on bowling alleys in general:
http://www.postgazette.com/news/portfolio/2016/01/26/Local-Dispatch-Bowling-alleys-are-glue-in-our-social-fabric/stories/201601260037
The business has been declared a total loss and the Lavender family is unsure of what the future holds. The community is heartbroken over the loss of this long standing business that provided such a warm and friendly atmosphere to gather and spend time with friends and family. Bowling provides a stress free escape for people of all ages to enjoy and this alley will be greatly missed. Please keep the family and employees of Wayne Lanes in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this overwhelming loss.
Funding is needed to help support the family and employees as they go through this difficult process and are able to determine if rebuilding is a viable option.
A little more about the Lavender family:
The bowling alley was like a second home for the Lavenders. Shawn has worked there since he was a child and has dedicated his career to making this center what it is today. The whole family would help out when needed. Shawn's wife, Sharon would often work on weekends and during tournaments and Shawn's daughter, Maddy just started helping too. Wayne Lanes has hosted many PBA tournaments (every year for the last 10+ years) and all family members would all be there working and helping...Shawn's mom, Shawn, Sharon and Maddy. Shawn's other two children, Colton and Riley would be there as well just hanging out spending time with their extended bowling family. The whole family bowls and all 3 kids bowl in the youth league. The kids are heartbroken and worried about what the future holds. They grew up in the bowling alley and it is just part of who they are. When Shawn's & Sharon's youngest son Riley saw the building he just kept asking "Mommy, what are we going to do? Who is going to fix daddy's bowling alley so he can work?". Heartbreaking. Shawn now has nowhere to go each day. He spends a good portion of this day sitting in his truck in the parking lot on phone calls, dealing with the insurance company and handling all the other difficult tasks associated with this loss. There has been a tremendous outreach from family, friends, fellow bowlers and the community which has been very humbling. It says a lot about Shawn and what he has built with this business. This alley is not only part of the Lavenders' lives but part of the employees; Chad, Chad's daughter who just started helping out, Jetanna and Mike and so many reliable patrons (many that are like family to the Lavenders and the employees of Wayne Lanes). It's scary and overwhelming for the Lavenders and the dedicated employees right now because there is so much uncertainty. The Lavenders have to trust and believe that God brought this challenge for a reason and somehow..together we will all (The Lavenders, employees, patrons, & community) will come through this stronger.
Some Articles and interviews regarding Wayne Lanes:
http://www.bowlersjournal.com/?p=12097
http://www.whsv.com/video?videoid=3406892
An great article on bowling alleys in general:
http://www.postgazette.com/news/portfolio/2016/01/26/Local-Dispatch-Bowling-alleys-are-glue-in-our-social-fabric/stories/201601260037
Organizer and beneficiary
Tracy Davis
Organizer
Waynesboro, VA
Sharon Lavender
Beneficiary
