Volunteer appreciation party strikes crowd at 300 Houston By RUSTY GRAHAM Updated: 11.20.08 http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2008/11/28/memorial_examiner/news/me_300.txt A perfect storm of business and charity blew into the Memorial area last week when 300 Houston teamed up with Child Advocates to host a volunteer appreciation party that was “strikingly different.” The scene Thursday evening was more nightclub than bowling alley, all part of 300’s design. Low lights, pulsing music with a driving, persistent bass line, atttentive black-vested servers, drinks, food, small groups gathered in conversation, security, even some spontaneous dancing. There’s a private room for the big spenders. And yes, bowling. Lots of bowling. 300 Houston, the former Bunker Hill Lanes at 925 Bunker Hill, was looking to make a splash with its grand opening. Chjld Advocates was looking for a way to recognize its nearly 600 volunteers. The two found each other through Houston businesswoman Page Parkes, who’s active with Child Advocates. “Somebody” told us to contact Page Parkes,” said Shawn Shahnazi, general manager of 300 Houston. He did, and Parkes took the idea to Child Advocates, and the “Pins and Play” idea was hatched. 300 Houston donated the venue, the food and the drinks for the evening. Child Advocates provided the revelers -- 400 or so of its 580 volunteers, said Sonya Galvan, chief executive officer of Child Advocates. Child Advocates trains and provides court-appointed advocates for children in protective situations. “Our volunteers speak up for abused children in foster care in Harris County,” said Galvan. “We make sure those kids have a voice.” The main bowling lanes were packed with staff, volunteers and board members, while corporate sponsors paid “big money” (which went to Child Advocates) to bowl on the six private “Club 300” lanes. “We’re very grateful to 300 Houston,” said Galvan. 300 Houston had been quietly open for a couple of weeks before Thursday’s grand opening party with Child Advocates, said Shahnazi. 300 Houston recreates the bowling experience, making it a more personal experience. Bowlers are custom-fitted their ball and shoes, then escorted to their lane. Their escort sets up the electronic scorekeeping system and is on hand for the bowlers’ stay. Food and drinks are ordered off menus and brought to the lane by servers. Music videos, sporting events, whatever are shown on large screens over the pins. Seating areas are sleeker and more comfortable than the traditional molded plastic seats. There’s even a lounge area with flat-screen high-defintion televisions if the bowling gets to be too much.