About 100 bowlers were looking to raise around $5,000 on Sunday for a local program that gives ride vouchers to bar patrons who need a ride home.
Spectators Sports Bar & Grill owner Scott Drinkard said he started Safe Ride Home two years ago when Sober Chauffeur, a similar program, expanded to a year-round program, but then lost a big part of its funding through a national sponsor.
Drinkard said Safe Ride Home is a not-for-profit entity operated by local bars and corporate sponsors. Safe Ride Home also operates year-round, offering a $10 Checker Cab voucher to people who drank too much and need a ride home. That fee covers most taxi rides in Jefferson City, he said, but the customer would pay anything over $10.
Drinkard said the goal is to have a ride for anyone who needs it within 15 minutes.
"It's available 365 days a year, no questions asked," Drinkard said. "It gives you a ride to pretty much anywhere in Jefferson City."
The program is funded through memberships dues from participating businesses, corporate sponsors (including Checker Cab) as well as two annual fundraisers: the bowling tournament and a summer golf tournament that raised about $9,000 last year, Drinkard said.