The fourth annual Bowling for the Battle tournament was held at Echo Lanes on Saturday.

The alleys lit up as 160 bowlers, divided in teams of five, occupied all 32 lanes. Each bowler paid $25 to participate.

Lining the tables were over 100 items available for a silent auction. The items were donated from local and national sources, some as far away as California. An additional 22 items were available for a live auction held after the tournament ended.

And every cent raised at the event will be donated to The Hormel Institute to aid in prostate cancer research.

“Without these funds we are not able to find the cure for prostate cancer,” said Dr. Arsheed Ganaie, a scientist with the Hormel Institute who specializes in prostate cancer research. “With each dollar we are closer to our goal of eradicating prostate cancer. This community has been tremendous in supporting prostate cancer research.”

The event, which started seven years ago as a fundraiser for the March of Dimes, became a prostate cancer fundraiser in 2015. Since then, it has been growing.

“We had a ton of family and friends and community businesses and national business sending us stuff,” said tournament director Laura Maschka, whose family started the event.

Her father, Tom Gillard, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010. He is still battling the disease, but doing well, according to Maschka.

Gillard’s best friend, Jeff Rayman, whose brother also battled prostate cancer, has been participating in the tournament since it’s inception.

“[Tom’s] a great guy to help out and the money all stays local,” he said. “I think that’s pretty awesome.”

It is a sentiment shared by his son, Chase Rayman.

“This is our turn to give back to [Tom] and to the cause itself,” he said.

Both were impressed by the generosity of the community in giving to this cause.

“You have people from Austin, Glenville, Albert Lea and the surrounding communities, but yet it’s the businesses from these areas that are pitching in because Tom’s a well-known guy,” Chase said. “That’s what my dad says life is all about, doing stuff like this. Considering what’s going on in the world today, things like this are what need to be focused on more.”

“There are so many great people in this town and the surrounding communities that come together to help out for such a great cause,” Jeff added.

In the previous three years, Bowling for the Battle has raised $110,512 for the Hormel Institute. Maschka said that this year a donor, who wished to remain anonymous, would partially match the money raised at the tournament.

Although the tournament was closed to those that did not register, the general public was allowed to participate in the auctions. Items available for auction included gift baskets, a John Deere wagon filled with toys, a patio bar, Minnesota Wild and Twins tickets, and a football autographed by former Minnesota Vikings quarterback and football hall of famer Fran Tarkenton.

The most any item has sold at the auction over the years was a pedal fire truck custom painted by Jeremy Pedersen, which sold for $2,500.

Despite the stress of organizing the event, Maschka said it is well worth it.

“Our family is very passionate about finding a cure for prostate cancer and we’re lucky to have the Institute in our backyard,” she said. “They are doing some amazing things. The support we get from the community inspires us to keep doing this.”