This past August, Haron Hargrave was a day removed from having just completed his charity flag football game and back-to-school campaign at Brooklyn Bridge Park with Lt. Michael Almonte of the NYPD when he quickly shifted his attention to organizing the next Ballin’ 4 Peace event.

“Each year we hold a Ballin’ 4 Peace charity and celebrity basketball or football game brings people together from all different parts of life and our communities to work together as one,” said Hargrave, who launched the organization back in 2015.

“It’s an amazing feeling. But the annual bowling tournament is where giving back with Ballin’ 4 Peace takes on a much bigger meaning thanks to everyone turning out and the brand sponsors making a difference during the holidays.”

On Sunday night at Bowlmor Lanes in Times Square that annual tradition continues.

A Queens native, pro basketball player, community activist, and Ballin’ 4 Peace founder, Haron Hargrave comes together with Wooter Apparel, K-Mart, Essentia Water, and Snaps NYC to host the 5th Annual Ballin’ 4 Peace Charity Bowling Event & Holiday Toy Drive from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Bowlmor Lanes’ Times Square location in Manhattan, New York. Featuring music by DJ Trase and Kid The Rebel as MC, the Battle of the Boros bowling tournament will include recording artists Grafh and Yalee, WE tv, Vina Love and Arnstar from Growing Up Hip-Hop, Donna and Alex from VH1 Black Ink Crew, and many others all uniting to help give back this holiday season with the annual Ballin’ 4 Peace Toy Drive benefiting Children’s Aid NYC. 

A former Sacramento State basketball standout and pro guard, Hargrave has shaped and grow Ballin’ 4 Peace over the last five years (one game, event, and jersey at a time) by remaining committed to raising awareness about violence within NYC and beyond by continuing to present a series of sports events all designed to place a focus on community outreach.

“I can’t believe this is the fifth year that Ballin’ 4 Peace has had the chance to bring our communities and people together during the holiday season to make this a special time of year for families and kids in neighborhoods throughout Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Long Island, and New Jersey. Ever since launching B4P back in 2015, the goal was to spread peace through sports in hopes of giving back to our communities and thanks to outstanding companies and brands like Wooter Apparel, K-Mart, Essentia Water, Snaps NYC, and everyone at Bowlmor Lanes, we are able to make this a very merry Christmas with our toy drive and bowling tournament,” said Hargrave.

“Knowing this is all for a good cause — the chance to make these toy donations and support the work being done at Children’s Aid NYC — that’s what it’s all about when putting on a Ballin’ 4 Peace event like this.”

“When I first put the word out about this year’s jerseys for the tournament (fully customized by Wooter Apparel), people started to sign-up to play in the event right away. That’s all it took,” Hargrave said about the bowling tournament and teaming-up for a sponsorship with Wooter Apparel.

B4P provides an outlet for inner-city youth who can interface with their favorite celebrities, athletes, and influencers as they promote peace through sports, annual events, and by partnering with brands who mutually share the same vision of “giving back”.

The Battle of the Boros will put 8 bowling teams (8 players per team) against each other and all sporting fully customized bowling shirts and gear from Wooter Apparel. The Top 4 teams will advance to the Finals, with the high score team taking home the 2019 Ballin’ 4 Peace Bowling Championship trophy, gifts, and awards. For Player sign-up information, to purchase tickets, and for further information about the 5th Annual Ballin’ 4 Peace Charity Bowling Event & Holiday Toy Drive, visit the Ballin’ 4 Peace Eventbrite page or connect with Ballin’ 4 Peace on social media (Instagram/Twitter).

“My message is peace through sports. That’s my way of giving back,” Hargrave said in a recent interview on The Sit Down with EmEz on Power 105.1.

“Sports is something that brings us all together.”