'Jake Effect' Bowling Fundraiser Honors Troy Teen's Memory

One of the things Joel Love remembers most about his son Jake is his love of music – especially the drums – and his passion for playing in 's bands.

"He would beat on the kitchen counter," Love recalled. "We'd have to say all the time, 'Jake, stop, you're beating on the counter again.'"

Up until his death in July of 2009, just weeks after he graduated from Troy High School, Jake's devotion to music never wavered. His senior year, he served as section leader of the Troy High School marching band's percussion section, despite battling aplastic anemia throughout much of the school year.

To honor Jake's memory, Love and others are hosting the second annual event Friday at Five Star Lanes in Sterling Heights. The fundraiser will help raise money for a $1,000 scholarship to be awarded to one non-senior band member at Troy High School in May.

“We took his love for playing in the band and his love for the band, and we decided we'd like to start this scholarship fund for non-seniors," Love said.

“We thought that by providing the non-seniors with some money to improve their musical education, they could bring it back to the band and use it to help Troy," Love said. "It’s nice for us, and it’s nice for Troy High.”

Love said the event is a good chance for Jake's friends to get together and catch up. He added that Jake's older brother Billy, who plays tuba at Michigan State University, attends the event along with his friends.

“We have Jake’s friends and band members and Billy’s friends and college kids, and kids in between," Love said. "It's just a great way for the kids to come back from college who haven’t seen their friends in a while ... and have a great time.”

Bowling for the Band is Friday, Dec. 16 starting at 7 p.m. at Five Star Lanes in Sterling Heights; the event includes three games of bowling, shoe rental, pop and pizza for $20. For more information or to reserve a spot, email Joel Love at joellove22@att.net.