Students laced up their bowling shoes Sunday at the Charleston Lanes to help raise money for a charitable cause.

More than 50 students helped raise money for vaccine funds for children in third-world countries.

“(The lack of vaccines) is something that has been in the news a lot lately, and we noticed there was a greater need for them,” said Blake Boldt, senior communication studies major and McKinney Hall president. “There hasn’t been an event like this to unite all the residents (on campus), and I’m impressed with the turnout.”

Ten teams of five took to the lanes to battle out who would win the trophy incentives at the end of the tournament. Two bowling trophies waited – one for the team that scored the most points and one for the team that raised the most money.

At one point, students with matching homemade t-shirts saying “bowling for the cause” cheered while their teammate bowled a strike. The other teams were just as enthusiastic about being there.

Heather Cooper, a junior foreign languages major and president of Taylor Hall, was one of five participants wearing a “bowling for the cause” shirt.

“(Boldt) did a good job organizing the tournament, and he worked really hard,” Cooper said. “He brought up the tournament to the Residence Hall Association at least once a week for the past month.”

Some students won free coupons, gift certificates and t-shirts in a raffle.

“(The tournament) is an opportunity to build a community among the residence halls and Greek organizations,” Boldt said. “We’re all supporting a worthy cause.”

Boldt said the charitable bowling tournament is the first event McKinney Hall has hosted in awhile, and he looks to make it an annual event.

Everyone who participated played two games and spent $15 at the door, $10 of which went toward the charity. The teams raised a total $500 to put toward the vaccinations.

Hannah Morgenroth, a freshman elementary education major, said she participated in the tournament because she wanted to support the charity and help others.

“Everyone loves bowling,” said Lexi Mayberry, a sophomore art education major and the vice president of McKinney Hall. “It’s a great cause to support.”