It was a couple of hours of fun that translates into a year of fun for more than 200 children

The 17th annual Max Keeping Bowlathon on Sunday raised an eye-popping $89,000; that will help fund children from low income families to access recreation, sports, camp and educational opportunities.

Two groups of bowlers from Team Cornwall were among the 450 who took part in the event, at Merivale Bowling Centre in the west end Ottawa.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, Liberal MPP Yasir Naqvi, and CTV News anchor Graham Richardson were among the celebrities circulating  through the bowling alley, including Darth Vader and his Knights and a dozen or so mascots.

Almost $25,000 in prizes was won by the bowlers - none for bowling. Many teams come in costume.

One in five children in eastern Ontario and west Quebec live in poverty and in some neighborhoods, one in three.

Poverty creates barriers that can deprive a child of the opportunity to shine and thrive. Your support to The Max Keeping Foundation helps to remove these barriers.