Strike Out Stress bowling tournament returns in January to support mental health programs

The Austin Germani Memorial Fund will host its second annual Strike Out Stress Bowling Tournament on January 29th, 2026, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at River City Roll, located at 939 Myers Street.

The event is designed as both a community fundraiser and a mental health awareness effort in memory of William Austin Germani, who died by suicide in 2017 at age 19 after struggling with anxiety and depression. According to organizers, proceeds will benefit VCU Center for Human Animal Interaction and Boys to Men Mentoring.

The afternoon will include a bowling tournament with prizes, a DJ, raffles, and food and drinks. Team registrations, individual tickets, and sponsorships are available through the Austin Germani Memorial Fund website here.

Organizers say the tournament aims to raise funds while also encouraging more open conversations about mental health, particularly among young people. The choice of beneficiaries reflects that focus. VCU’s Center for Human Animal Interaction studies and promotes the role animals can play in emotional well-being, while Boys to Men Mentoring works with boys and young men through structured mentoring relationships.

The memorial fund itself is held by the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, which distributes grants to local 501(c)(3) organizations based on direction from Austin’s mother, Ginger Germani, and in line with the foundation’s guidelines.

The inaugural Strike Out Stress event took place in 2025 on Austin’s birthday and, according to the fund, drew 80 bowlers, 35 sponsors, and raised $10,800. While those figures suggest solid early support, the long-term impact of the fundraiser will depend on whether proceeds translate into sustained programming or measurable expansion of services at the beneficiary organizations.

Germani has said the fund’s mission grew out of conversations she had with her son about why mental health is often difficult to talk about openly. That question continues to shape the event and the fund’s broader work.

Registration and sponsorship information are available on the fund’s website. For additional details, organizers list Ginger Germani as the point of contact.