Doreen Gillard might not have known what she was getting into when she threw a challenge at her nephew.

Last summer, she heard her nephew, John Lukes, was raising a hog to be shown at the Freeborn County Fair. If he sold the hog during the Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction, he would give 10 percent of his profit to charity.

So, Gillard said she would match whatever 10 percent he raised, if he gave it to the Bowling for the Battle event that takes place from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Echo Lanes.

Doreen had good reason. As the wife of Tom Gillard, who helped found the event, she knew that donations to cancer research made a difference. And Tom had been fighting prostate cancer for six years.

Tom and others founded the Bowling for the Battle — A Fight Against Prostate Cancer fundraiser six years ago and the community, friends and family have all stepped up to donate. Last year, over $36,000 was raised and the lanes were filled with 128 bowlers. During the event, live and silent auctions, raffles and drawings are also held. Sponsored by Farmers Insurance, funds are also augmented by Reichel Foods, who donates $7,500.

So — how much did Doreen have to match? Well, the hog her 14-year-old nephew raised did pretty darn well at the fair. He sold the animal for $5,000 at the auction. His cut of the profit was $4,000 — so he gave $400 to Saturday’s fundraiser.

And, so did Doreen. Gladly.

For more information or to donate, call Tom (507-433-5006), Jim (507-433-9696) or Pat (507-331-9500).

Thursday

•First Thursdays – Dr. Seuss Reading PJ Party, 5 to 7 p.m. at the SPAM Museum. Come help celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday by reading a few of his wonderful stories and eating Green Eggs and Spam. Wear your PJs and feel free to bring something comfy to sit on. For more information, call 507-434-6420.

Friday

•Knights of Columbus Friday Fish Fry during Lent, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the 211 First St. SW hall. Meals will feature broiled or batter-fried haddock served with a potato and salad bar.

Saturday

•Masonic Pancake Feed, 9 a.m. to noon at the Austin Masonic Lodge, 303A N Main Street. The Austin Masons host an all-you-can-eat pancake feed for $5 per person. Come and enjoy pancakes, sausage, orange juice, milk and coffee.
•Kids’ Studio – Watercolor Portraits, 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Austin ArtWorks Center.  With Mackenzie Bentzin. Cost $5, for children ages 4 and older. For more information, call 507-434-0934.
•Bowling for the Battle – A Fight Against Prostate Cancer, 2 to 7 p.m. at Echo Lanes.  (See above)

•Driller MMA Fights. 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Conference Center. For more information, call 507-433-8000.

•Northwestern Singers Winter Show. “The Wonderful World of Disney,” 7 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. Tickets available through the Austin ArtWorks Center at www.austinareaarts.org or by calling 507-433-0547.

•Riverside Figure Skating Club Presents “Blades on Broadway,” 7 p.m. at Riverside Arena. Tickets can be purchased at the door, adults are $10, seniors and students are $8 and children 5 and under are free.

•Sola Fide Observatory Viewing, 8 p.m. at the Sola Fide Observatory.  Learn about the night sky from our local experts. From I-90 take Highway 218 south 2 miles to County Road 28. Turn right (west) 1 mile to stop sign. Turn south on County Road 29 for 1.5 miles to 180th St. Turn right for a quarter of a mile — the driveway is on the right. For more information, call Keith at 507-440-1244 or email imstar@smig.net.

Sunday

•Northwestern Singers Winter Show. The Wonderful World of Disney, 2 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. Tickets available through the Austin ArtWorks Center at www.austinareaarts.org or by calling 507-433-0547.

•Riverside Figure Skating Club Presents “Blades on Broadway,” 2 p.m. at Riverside Arena. Tickets can be purchased at the door, adults are $10, seniors and students are $8 and children 5 and under are free.