Miss Ohio 2009 Erica Gelhaus will be the premiere guest bowler as she hosts a fundraiser – Buckeyes and Beauties -- for The Second and Seven Foundation and the Reach Out and Read Program of Nationwide Children’s Hospital on Friday, August 7.

The Buckeyes, members of the Ohio State football team, and the Beauties, Miss Ohio contestants, will serve as guest bowlers for the event.  The event will be held at High Performance Lanes on Innis Road in Columbus from 7 to 11 p.m.

Being a lane sponsor will allow you to meet, greet and bowl with the players and contestants.  Sapphire Sponsorship is $200 and enables you to provide four (4) bowlers; Ruby Sponsorship is $350 and enables you to provide four (4) bowlers and to have an official team photograph with Miss Ohio and Diamond Sponsorship is $500 and enables you to provide eight (8) bowlers and to have an official team photograph with Miss Ohio.

Walk-up sponsorships will be available on the night of the event.

Those who do not wish to bowl but would like to come and support The Second and Seven Foundation and Reach Out and Read may attend the event for $5 (or $4 if you bring a new or gently used children’s book). 

A silent auction will be held and souvenir shirts will be sold.

“I am so excited to be hosting this event,” stated Gelhaus.  “As an advocate for literacy I find it very important for children to be encouraged in every way possible to read and find stories they love!  Reading is the foundation for all education and empowers children with so many opportunities to better their future.  Partnering with these organizations is a perfect fit.”

Jim Lachey, former Ohio State All-American football player will be on hand to serve as co-emcee for the event.  Both Lachey and Gelhaus are products St. Henry, Ohio.

Current OSU offensive lineman Jimmy Cordle hosted his own charity fundraiser earlier this summer in his hometown of Lancaster. Gelhaus assisted with that event and Cordle was eager to get himself and his available teammates involved with this cause.

“Erica Gelhaus helped me with my event now I am helping her,” Cordle said.

Gelhaus, Miss Ohio 2009, has been committed to “Turning the Page for Children’s Literacy” for several years and created a program in St. Henry High School entitled “Athletes Promoting Excellence.”  She has been a volunteer for Reach Out and Read and is excited to partner with 2nd and 7.

The 2nd & 7 Foundation is a non-profit organization located in Columbus.  The foundation was developed by former Buckeyes Mike Vrabel, Ryan Miller, and Luke Fickell. The "Tackle Illiteracy" program is used to help influence kids across the country to practice the basic skill of reading.  This program encourages OSU student athletes to go into 2nd grade classrooms throughout Central Ohio to read to the students and to give each student a new book.

 Reach Out and Read is a national, nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy by making books a routine part of pediatric care.   Reach Out and Read helps families and communities encourage early literacy skills so children enter school prepared for success in reading. Pediatricians across Central Ohio provide a new book to children during their visits and also provide gently used books in their waiting areas.

To learn more about Miss Ohio 2009 Erica Gelhaus, The Second and Seven Foundation and Reach Out and Read please visit the following websites:  missohio.org, secondandseven.com and nationwidechildrens.org/reachoutandread

For further information regarding Buckeyes and Beauties Bowling for Books contact: buckeyesandbeauties@gmail.com or Martha Campbell at 330-340-0390.

All proceeds benefit The Second and Seven Foundation and Reach Out and Read of Nationwide Children’s Hospital.