Daughter’s memory rekindled with bowling fund-raiser

Ellen McCarty

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- Tickets are selling out quickly for the third

annual Kelly Osborn Memorial Scholarship Fund-raiser in honor of a young

woman who was killed three years ago in a tragic traffic accident.

Kelly’s father, Dave Osborn, started the scholarship fund to help

disadvantaged students and, at this year’s event -- set for Saturday,

Sept. 4 -- he hopes to raise a record $10,000.

The fund-raising party will start at 6 p.m. at the Fountain Bowl and

includes a barbecue and moonlight casino bowling, where bowlers can win

money, said Dennis Mathews, the event’s coordinator.

Osborn will present the winners of this year’s scholarships during the

event and share a memory or two of his daughter.

“It’s a tough day for me,” he said. “I tried to make something good

out of her passing, and I knew helping kids would be one of the things

she would want me to do in her memory.”

On July 15, 1996, before her sophomore year at college, the

19-year-old drove over a hill too fast and hit a curb and flipping her

truck. She was killed instantly.

Kelly was a great softball player, he said, and at first he gave the

scholarships away to girls on Kelly’s former softball team. This year,

he’s decided to help local school districts.

“I’ve gotten so much local support. This community is so kind and

benevolent,” he said. “You don’t think you know the people very well, but

they’ll do anything for you. It amazes me every year.”

Osborn said he keeps in touch with the four girls who have received

the scholarships and all of them are doing well.

Tickets to the fund-raiser cost $20 for residents and sponsorship

opportunities are available for businesses for $200. Call 963-7888.