• Bowlers of all ages and skill levels are invited to enter.

The Star Valley Bowling Association is hosting a Veterans Day Bowling Tournament as a fundraiser to benefit local veterans on Saturday, November 11 at Skyview Lanes. Check-in opens at 8:30 a.m. for the plastic ball only tournament.

Event organizer Amy Hansen, in an interview with SVI Media last week, expressed her commitment to supporting men and women who have devoted themselves in the armed forces to preserving freedom for our communities.

“These veterans, and the people that are out there right now fighting for us in America, I think we need to give back to them,” said Hansen. “They are very important in our lives, and I think it’s time for us to do something for them. There are a million people who have veterans that have touched their lives. My grandparents and my dad did. They’ve all put their time in, and I think we need to give back to them.”

Bowlers of all ages and skill levels are invited to enter the tournament, which is plastic ball only. All eight lanes will be devoted to the tournament, with five bowlers in each lane, and 4 games played per bowler. Registration for each bowler is $30. Raffle items and 50/50 tickets will increase opportunities to support the cause. Prizes are planned for winners in the Boys, Girls, Men’s and Women’s classes.

“All that money raised will go to the VA through the Bowlers to Veterans Link,” said Hansen. “Bowlers don’t have to be part of the association, they don’t have to bowl in a league, we just want anyone who wants to support the veteran’s program to come and bowl.”

A nonprofit 501 (c) (3) charity, Bowlers to Veterans Link is a nation-wide charity that makes these tournaments possible for community bowling organizations to support their veterans. According to bvl.org, “BVL is bowling’s own and oldest charity, raising more than $53 million since 1942 to fund recreation therapy programs that address the emotional and physical needs of veterans and active-duty military, including sports, music, crafts, technology, and adaptive equipment for rehabilitation activities. BVL is a national nonprofit 501 (c) (3) charity.”

Hansen says that the money raised from the tournament will go to the BVL, which will then return 95 percent of the money to the Afton VA Clinic.

“They keep five percent of it to put towards veterans around the world and they send 95 percent back to whatever VA hospital we want them to send it to.”

For community members who wish to support the fundraiser, but cannot attend the event, Hansen has left an envelope at the bowling alley with manager, Ryan Leavitt. “If someone wants to donate, they can write a check to The Star Valley Bowling Association or leave cash. We’ll get it to the BVL.

“It’s going to be fun. A lot of people get intimidated bowling with other bowlers, but our association has amazing people in there, so just come down and have fun.”

Feel free to contact Hansen directly with questions at 307-413-8177.