For 45 years, the Darts & Bowls event has brought the community together for a marathon of fun, camaraderie, and most importantly, generosity. Held at the Burnside Lawn Bowling Club, this unique event runs for 25 hours straight, raising crucial funds for Easter Seals Camp Shawnigan. The 2024 edition, held on August 23-24, was no exception, raising an impressive $23,621 to support the life-changing camp experience for children and adults with disabilities.
But the story of Darts & Bowls stretches back far before 2024, with deep roots in the passion of two remarkable individuals: Bonny and Russ Eison.
The Beginnings: A Surprise Invitation
Bonny and Russ’s journey with Easter Seals began unexpectedly in 1989. Their son Robert, then just a child, was invited by Bonny’s brother Rick to visit Camp Shawnigan during an open house. A few months later, the family received a call that would change their lives—Jack Smith from the Esquimalt Lions informed them that Robert had made a strong impression at the camp, and they wanted him to be “Timmy” – the beloved figure to encourage the community to raise funds for Easter Seals – for the 1990 Vancouver Island Timmy’s Telethon. Robert embraced the role, serving as Timmy in 1990 and 1991, an honor that Bonny and Russ still cherish to this day.
That same year, the Eisons discovered Dart-a-Thon, a grassroots fundraising event held annually to support the telethon. Little did they know, this event would soon become a major part of their lives.
A Growing Connection to Easter Seals
As Robert continued attending Camp Shawnigan for the next eight years, the Eisons grew ever more connected to the Easter Seals mission. They attended Dart-a-Thon year after year, watching as their son and countless other campers enjoyed the life-changing experiences Camp Shawnigan offered.
In 2005, the founders of Dart-a-Thon asked Bonny and Russ if they would like to help out with the event. They immediately said yes, rallying their extended family to come out and support the cause. By 2016, they had taken over as head organizers and set about growing the event even further.
Darts & Bowls: A Unique 25-Hour Marathon
Darts & Bowls, as it is now called, is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a community celebration. Starting at 6:00 pm on a Friday, the event runs for 25 straight hours, with darts being thrown non-stop. But you don’t have to be a dart player to participate. The event also features raffles, 50/50 draws, karaoke, silent and live auctions, and even lawn bowling—a recent addition thanks to the generosity of the Burnside Lawn Bowling Club, which has hosted the event since 2017.
Participants are kept well-fed with meals prepared by none other than Russ, who takes on the role of chef for the weekend, serving up dinner, snacks, breakfast, lunch, and more for anyone who buys a food bracelet. It’s this mix of dedication, fun, and community spirit that keeps people coming back year after year—some staying for the entire 25 hours!
A Family Legacy of Giving Back
For Bonny and Russ, their commitment to Easter Seals and Camp Shawnigan is deeply personal. Their son Robert, who served as an Easter Seals Ambassador and benefited from his time at camp, returned to Camp Shawnigan this year after many years away. Their connection to the camp and the cause is why they continue to dedicate themselves to Darts & Bowls, ensuring that the funds raised go directly to helping other families like theirs.
“Anyone who gets a chance to go to the open houses at an Easter Seals camp, please take the opportunity to attend” says Bonny. “The counselors are above amazing. I struggle for the words and start to tear up whenever I start explaining how amazingly wonderful they are.”
Looking Forward
As Darts & Bowls moves toward its 46th year, Bonny and Russ are already planning for even more success. Whether through darts, lawn bowls, raffles, or karaoke, they know that every effort made brings another camper one step closer to experiencing the magic of Camp Shawnigan.
For the Eison family and the countless others involved, Darts & Bowls isn’t just an event—it’s a tradition of giving that spans generations, rooted in love and support for Easter Seals.
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