Josh Beckett Hosts Fifth Annual Beckett Bowl At Lucky Strike Lanes

Josh Beckett and a handful of teammates and other celebrities hit the local bowling alley - Lucky Strike Lanes near Fenway Park - for the fifth annual Beckett Bowl to raise money for Children's Hospital Boston on Monday.

Beckett was joined by Red Sox manager Terry Francona and teammates, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, John Lackey, Tim Wakefield, Adrian Gonzalez, Dustin Pedroia, Jason Varitek and Jacoby Ellsbury at Monday's event. Bruins Dan Paillie and Dennis Seidenberg, Actor John O'Hurley, Spurs forward Matt Bonner and Revolution goalie Matt Reis were a few of the other local and national celebrities to attend the event. 

The Children's Hospital Boston patients honored at the event were Maggie Federico of Norwood, William Oulton of Medford, Avalanna Routh of Merrimac and Isabella Shaw of West Yarmouth.

"This is something that's close to my heart and any time you can touch other people's lives, your life ends up being touched just the game," Beckett said in an event statement. "As a result of everyone's tireless efforts, we've raised funds that will make a positive impact on the lives of kids served by Children's Hospital. We're thankful for the support we've received from the local sports and business communities. We couldn't do this without them."

Beckett isn't the only local star who has been touched by the lives of the young patients his foundation is helping, as many other area stars made it a point to attend the charity event for the same cause, such as Lester.

"Every year I try to come out, it's always a good time. Obviously it's for a good cause " said Lester. "It's usually on an off night, so we all get down here and have a good time doing it."

Similar to Lester, Pedroia - one of Beckett's teammates -has been coming out to the event for years.

"I've been here every year supporting Josh," he said. "It's just great to do anything to help him and the charity out."

Bonner, an NBA forward/center from the San Antonio Spurs, doesn't usually get the chance to attend the Beckett Bowl, but with certain circumstances preventing the planned start of training camp, he was able to show up.

"I normally don't get to [participate in the Beckett Bowl] because I'm usually back in San Antonio getting ready for training camp, but because of the lockout, I'm back home up in New Hampshire and got the call from Josh to come out and participate, show support," he said." It's a great thing he's doing for the community, and I'm excited to be a part of it."

For all five years, the Beckett Bowl has been organized by The Josh Beckett Foundation, which "supports community-based programs that improve the health and well-being of children, especially those who are seriously ill, disabled, poor, or otherwise disadvantaged," according to an event sheet.

"Thanks to the support and dedication of Josh Beckett and everyone at The Josh Beckett Foundation, Beckett Bowl has been throwing strikes for the nation's top pediatric hispital since 2007," Children's Hospital Boston CEO James Mandell, MD, said in an event statement. "Support from generous individuals like Josh allows us to address the hospital's most critical needs and essential programs including our cutting edge cancer care and research center."