November 2, 2022 Nolan Hughes

Shafer’s efforts have raised over $35,000 for mental health workers and families in need in New York state.

Ryan Shafer, a 35-year PBA Tour veteran and five-time titleist, has been selected as the 2022 Tony Reyes Community Service Award winner. Shafer’s persistent work assisting the New York state mental health community over the past eight-plus years gained the attention of the PBA’s selection committee. 

Shafer founded the Michelle Shafer Fund for Suicide Prevention and Awareness to honor his late wife, Michelle, who died by suicide in 2014. His largest fundraising event is an annual team tournament at Crystal Lanes in Corning, N.Y.

Shafer has worked extensively to improve accessibility to treatment for those suffering from depression and other mental health illnesses.

“I’m very honored. It's very meaningful, not just for me, but for everyone involved in the event that we hold,” Shafer said. “The event couldn't have happened without the people who get donations, the people who donate themselves, the people who participate in the event and the people who helped run the event, especially my wife, Jennifer, and my best friend, Jim Pitts. They're indispensable.”

 

Shafer, centered wearing the Brunswick jersey, said the event would not be possible without the 20-25 people that help plan and put on the event.

The fundraising event began as a youth scholarship tournament. Shafer said education was very important to Michelle, and he followed the lead of Danny Wiseman, Chris Barnes and Parker Bohn III — all former Reyes award recipients — in starting a tournament to help youth players in his area.

During this iteration of the event, Shafer said they raised $38,000 in scholarships. Over time, he felt the initial goal of suicide prevention and awareness was being lost. He pivoted to a scratch team tournament with a greater emphasis on the cause and said the response from the community has been incredible. 

“You can raise awareness all you want,” Shafer wrote. “But I prefer to do something about it by helping the true professionals have the means to do so.”

Over the past four years, Shafer said they have raised $7,000, $7,500 and $11,000. This year, a 50-team field and countless donors, including annual donors Sean Rash and Tom Hess, raised $11,500. The proceeds benefit mental health workers and families who have a loved one suffering from mental health illness.

Two organizations that Shafer said he helps support are the Suicide Prevention Center of New York State and GST BOCES, who assist southern New York teens in crisis. Because of Shafer's diligence, the Suicide Prevention Center of New York State was able to run a webinar series that provided direct service to almost 400 people.

He said when Michelle was ill, the long wait for outpatient care was a big issue.

“You can’t get in to see anybody,” he said. “There's a long waiting list, so the people who are struggling with depression, mental illness and have made an attempt on their own life and survived that attempt, they really have nowhere to go.”

Shafer said he believes the stigma related to someone admitting they need help is slowly going away. "It’s okay to not be okay" is one of the mottos of his event.

“The reason why this award is important isn’t because it recognizes me,” Shafer said. “I want it to recognize the people who help, participate and donate. Anytime you get focus on what you're doing, it raises more awareness for (mental health and suicide prevention) and you can grow that way.”

 

While the tournament is named in honor of Michelle, Shafer and Jennifer added a memorial table this year so lost loved ones of others can be recognized as well.

The Tony Reyes Community Service Award recognizes a current PBA member who exemplifies extraordinary community service, charitable or educational contributions over the course of a PBA season.

Reyes, who died in 2012, was an eight-time PBA Regional champion, collegiate All-American and the 18th player in PBA history to bowl a 300 game on national television. Players today still remember his "everlasting smile" fondly.

Shafer, the 19th player in PBA history to bowl a televised 300 game, defeated Reyes in the match before his perfect game. He said Reyes was always very gracious.

Many years ago, Shafer said he was not invited to a PBA doubles event at Six Flags, though he felt he should have been. He said Reyes, who was invited, voluntarily gave his spot to Shafer.

“That just tells you how he was,” Shafer said.

Past Winners

Warren Eales, 2021

Danny Wiseman, 2020

Chuck Gardner, 2019

Chris Barnes, 2018

Del Ballard Jr., 2017

Rhino Page, 2016

Ed Godbout, 2015

Missy Parkin, 2014

Parker Bohn III, 2013

Complete list of PBA Tony Reyes Community Service Award winners

Resources

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a trained listener, call 988.

Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.