At the heart of Jacksonville's Veterans Roll Up Bowl-a-thon is a person: Darrell Coats Jr., a veteran whose memory helped inspire a local foundation's work with veterans and their families.
On Wednesday, November 11, Coats Legacy Foundation is bringing that purpose to Batt Family Fun Center for a Veterans Day gathering built around spending time together. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the event at 1838 Cassat Avenue will welcome veterans, active-duty service members, families, friends and community supporters.
Bowling, arcade games, laser tag, mini golf and music are part of the planned day. There will also be opportunities to meet fellow attendees and organizations supporting veterans. It is a family-friendly invitation with room for neighbors who want to take part alongside those who have served.
Editor's note: The foundation connects Darrell Coats Jr.’s memory with its work for military families.
The foundation says it was created in Darrell's honor. Its account of the organization's beginnings connects remembrance with an ambition to help veterans facing hardship and families looking for support. Darrell died by suicide in 2022, according to the foundation's event announcement carried by the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs. His life and memory remain central to the gathering's purpose.
That history gives the day on the lanes a significance beyond the games. The foundation is asking Jacksonville to make time for veterans and military families in a setting where people can bring loved ones, enjoy themselves and learn about community connections. The invitation includes business owners and other local supporters, widening the circle beyond military service alone.
Coats Legacy Foundation describes its work as connecting veterans and families with resources, providing charitable assistance and building community partnerships. It also identifies veteran-suicide prevention and help for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability among its priorities. Those aims explain the care behind the celebration: the organization wants recognition of service to include attention to people's lives after service.
The gathering offers a straightforward way for Jacksonville neighbors to participate. Veterans and active-duty service members receive free admission with advance reservation. Admission for family members, friends and other supporters is $11 per person.
Families who want to learn more about the foundation's ongoing work can also contact it directly. The organization directs resource inquiries to info@coatslegacyfoundation.org and welcomes questions about volunteering or partnering. That offers a way to continue the conversation beyond Veterans Day, whether the interest is receiving assistance or helping the organization carry out its work.
A day together can begin simply: make the reservation, bring someone you care about and join your neighbors. This November, the bowl-a-thon makes space for celebration while keeping Darrell Coats Jr.'s memory and the needs of military families close to its purpose.
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Event
The Veterans Roll Up Bowl-a-thon
Nov 11, 2026, 11:00 AM EST
Join together for a welcoming community festival and fundraiser dedicated to supporting veterans through a fun-filled family bowling event.
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