April 23, 2003
Zeits delivers for Big agency
UPS driver raises thousands for Bowl for Kids' Sake
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
The connection between pins, packages and smiles is clear to Jerry Zeits.
A driver for United Parcel Service for 28 years, Zeits has drummed up donations and pledges for the past seven years for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Bowl for Kids' Sake. As this year's event comes around again, Zeits is already soliciting pledges to help children in northwest Michigan.
"Some good friends of mine used to work for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and he was putting together a bowling team and asked me if I would partake," recalled Zeits, a Traverse City native who lives along his route. "I kind of learned about Big Brothers/Big Sisters from this, as I went."
Zeits has, in fact, become a fundraising institution for the organization. He kicked off the Jerry Zeits Bowl for Kids' Sake Pledge Campaign for 2003 in late March, sending letters to previous pledgees. He will also spend his lunch hour talking to newcomers on his southeast Traverse City route, which he has driven for 25 years, about Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the bowling event.
"He's been responsible with the money he's raised for matching hundreds of kids," said Peggy Ellebee of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. "There's more need than ever, in today's society, to have good role models for kids."
Throwing himself into the fundraising, Zeits has brought in thousands of dollars over the years. Armed with a friendly smile and a great cause, he likes helping an organization that last year served 612 area youth. A waiting list of more than 100 kids, all hoping for a match with a caring adult, keeps him coming back year after year.
"Sometimes I start three months ahead, as soon as I've gotten the pledge sheets," Zeits said. "We've switched to the letter because it was just eating too much of my time but I do carry a pledge sheet with me this year to hit up new people on the route."
"My customers remember and look forward to it, a very few turn me down but they have other charities they support," noted Zeits, who will bowl this year on Country Night, May 6 at Timber Lanes. "Most drivers sponsor me, too."
Bowl for Kids' Sake will be held in Traverse City, Boyne City, Charlevoix and Cadillac the first week of May. Last year's events drew 600 bowlers and this year organizers are hoping for 1,000 participants in the four locations.
The Traverse City events will be held at Timber Lanes Bowling Center on May 4-9, with a Corporate Night for company teams held on May 7 and 8 and a smoke-free Family Day on May 4 from 6-8 p.m. WTCM will host a Country Night on May 6 in Traverse City and May 9 will be a Youth Night with glow bowling and live music.
Pledges can either be per pin or a flat donation. Zeits, admitting his bowling game never reaches high scores, almost always gets a flat donation.
Besides talking about his favorite charity every spring with his customers, Zeits just enjoys his work. Behind the characteristic UPS hustle and professionalism, he likes the smiles that accompany the deliveries.
"I like to deliver packages to everybody, it is like playing Santa Claus every day," he said. "My route is mostly residential, I've seen kids grow up over the years."
For more information on the Bowl for Kids' Sake events, call Big Brothers/Big Sisters at 1-800-968-BIGS, locally at 932-7810 or via their website at www.bbbsnwmi.org