AMESBURY — Pins will topple, pizza will be shared and a local hero’s legacy celebrated when the Sgt. Jordan M. Shay Memorial Foundation hosts its 13th annual bowling tournament in May.
“There’s a lot of lighthearted friendly competition between the teams. We love that, a lot of bragging rights,” said Holly Shay, Jordan Shay’s mother and the foundation’s president.
The foundation was established to honor the last wishes of Jordan Shay, a 2005 graduate of Amesbury High School and U.S. Army sergeant killed in Iraq during his second deployment in 2009.
The event will be held May 1, at 5 p.m. at Gametime Lanes & Entertainment, 84 Haverhill Road.
“It’s our only fundraiser for the year, so we go all out,” Shay said.
The event usually brings in more than $20,000 each year according to Holly Shay, with last year’s tilt garnering over $25,000.
Thanks to the constant support of the fundraiser and how it has grown each year, they have been able to increase the ways they give back to the community, according to Shay.
“In our veteran community we’ve extended our support to the entire Essex County region,” Shay said.
Winning the tournament won’t be easy considering the number of teams ready to bowl their hearts out. The winner of the last year’s tournament was the Amesbury Fire Department, returning to form after being upset the prior year.
“This year we have 40 teams,” Shay said.
Foundation advisory board member Cathy Toomey said she has been “blown away” by how the event has evolved.
“It’s so heartwarming to see what that bowling tournament has become,” Toomey said.
Shay said she has loved seeing new faces join each year.
“It just helps us stay motivated to award the scholarships and the grants to the students and teachers in Amesbury, we love that. Having it grow larger, it’s really lovely,” Shay said.
Among the new teams joining will be groups from New England Fisheries, Amesbury Elder Elves and the Sgt. Jordan Shay Memorial Lower Elementary School.
“I love that,” Shay said.
Among the returning teams will be the Newburyport Fire Department, renewing their rivalry with the Amesbury FD.
“We’re looking forward to that. It’s just fun to follow them competing,” Shay said.
Shay spoke about how the event embodies her son as a person.
“He was all about fun and Jimmy Buffet and, you know, fun music and party music. He was great to be around, and the event is an extension of who Jordan was, so it makes it a perfect legacy for him,” Shay said.
There will also be a variety of prizes being given away, with raffles open to the public beginning at 3 p.m.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.