On Nov. 10 at Lucky Strike at CityScape, Arizona Diamondback Paul Goldschmidt, and his wife Amy, host Goldy’s Bowling Bash, the couple’s first event through Goldy’s Fund 4 Kids, which was founded to aid the children and families of Phoenix Children’s Hospital (PCH). (Proceeds from the event help support PCH’s Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders.) The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and will feature a bowling tournament, food and drinks, live music and some familiar faces, including Luis Gonzalez, Mark Grace, Jim “Bones” Mackay, Drew Stanton, Dustin Pedroia, Andre Ethier, Brandon McCarthy, Justin Upton, Miguel Montero, Paul Konerko and David Peralta.

AFM: Why bowling?

PG: There are a lot of golf events around the Valley, which are a lot of fun, but I wanted to think of something different. And [bowling] wouldn’t be an all-day affair. I just wanted to do something that most people aren’t doing that often.  

AFM: Are you a good bowler?

PG: As an amateur, I am probably average. I am not great. I am not horrible. I hopefully won’t embarrass myself. We did it for family outings growing up and during high school and college with friends. And still now we will go bowling when I am with family back in Texas or looking for something to do in Arizona.

AFM: What can event-goers expect?

PG: Hopefully we will have a lot going on. It will be a bowling competition. There will be a red carpet, and there will be time to get warmed up for bowling. There will be a bowling competition, which should take one hour. Each team will have a celebrity athlete with them. Entertainment, music and prizes for the best and worst bowlers. For fundraising purposes, there will be silent and live auctions, with trips and sports memorabilia. There will be an after-party as well [starting at 9 p.m.]. We want people to hang out and have a good time. With all the proceeds going to PCH, the event is raising awareness and we want to introduce them to what’s going on at PCH. Of course, we want to raise as much money as we can but hopefully introduce people to the need of childhood cancer and get the word out.

AFM: What was your goal in forming Goldy’s Fund 4 Kids?

PG: When I was first called up the big leagues—it has been a little over five years now—I wanted to get involved in Phoenix. My wife and I wanted to be involved in the community. I was invited to PCH to play in a golf tournament. My wife and I started volunteering at the hospital five years ago, and it developed into a partnership with them. When we had the idea for Goldy’s Fund, we started selling the bleacher creatures—we sold those and all the proceeds went to PCH. I think for us the whole goal has been hands-on help. With any money raised, we have donated PlayStations, video game, board games. My wife and a lot of the wives of the Diamondbacks have thrown a birthday party for all the kids in the hospital one month. We make them feel more comfortable and have more fun in the hospital. That is going to have a huge impact on their lives and chances for survival and make their stay way more positive.

AFM: Having a child of your own, how has that reinforced your commitment to the children of PCH?

PG: It makes everything a lot more real—that I could be standing in those parents’ shoes. We have had close friends who had to have extended or short stays [at PCH]. It motivated us to do more. Just go over there and hang out. Five minutes or 30 minutes. Whatever they want to do—play board games, read, hear baseball stories—I will do. I just try to brighten their day and give them distraction.

AFM: How can people support Goldy’s Fun 4 Kids if they can’t attend the bowling event?

PG: On our Web site, there is a “donate” section if they want to financially donate. I believe that will also link to you to the D-backs Web site. The other thing is that the silent auction will be online as well. They can get some items, and all proceeds go to PCH. That should go live a day or so before the event. Whether it is [helping] PCH or whatever else, just go out there and volunteer. Even if it is helping neighbors—help a neighbor move. Someone may be good at a certain skill, and they can lend that skill. We have been private [with our nonprofit involvement] but now that we are being more public, maybe that will help with whatever cause [a person feels] most passionate.

To purchase tickets or learn more about Goldy’s Bowling Bash, visit www.goldysfund4kids.org.