A nonprofit started by a former member of the Boston Celtics is hosting its first annual Herren Project Bowl-A-Thon at Dudek Bowling Lanes (489 Child St.) in Warren on Saturday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Chris Herren started the Herren Project in 2011 as a means to help people find and receive treatment for substance abuse disorder, which he struggled with from his time as a rising high school basketball star in Fall River, Mass. all the way through his entry and time in the NBA. He overcame his addiction and has been sober since Aug. 1, 2008, thanks to the support and help from friends and family, and has since dedicated his life to trying to help others facing the same uphill battle.

The Herren Project interestingly has many connections to Bristol-Warren, going back to when Herren gave a speech at Mt. Hope High School in 2011, when a girl wearing purple representing students who chose not to do drugs spoke up and thanked him for his advocacy, prompting Herren to start “Project Purple” to end the stigma around addiction. Warren Town Manager Kate Michaud is also a graduate of Fall River’s Durfee High School, where Chris Herren attended. Superintendent Ana Riley also taught at Durfee.

“Dealing with the Town of Warren has been amazing,” said Mike Herren, Chris’s older brother who handles promotions for the group. “I got a text message saying, ‘Anything you need, how can we help, how can we get involved.’ I think the turnout is going to be better than we could have imagined…Listening to Chris is a powerful thing. He’s the best in the business.”

Those looking to help the Herren Project’s mission can sponsor a lane for $150 an hour, donate an item for their silent auction, donate a lane to a community organization for $250, and private donations are acceptable by mailing a check with “Bowlathon” on the memo line, made out to Herren Advertising/Herren Project at P.O. Box 424, Swansea, MA, 02777. Donors can also donate per pin in $.25, $.50, $.75 or $1.00 increments.

For more information on the event, email HerrenBroadcasting@gmail.com or call 508-840-5635. To donate via Venmo, you can find their profile @Herren-Project-Bowlathon. The event is family-friendly and welcome to all. Visit HerrenProject.org to learn more about the nonprofit’s work.

Since 2011, the Herren Project reports that it has awarded over $6.3 million in in-kind scholarships to assist individuals seeking substance abuse treatment.