Chris Marlin was “bowled” over by the support from the greater Niles community during Saturday’s Bowl for the Cure event in Niles.

The event chairperson said more than $13,000 was raised, likely falling just short of the record of $13,400 in 2012.

However, Marlin said the group has 30 days to collect more donations before they officially enter the final amount.

“We are inching closer (to the record), “ Marlin said. “It was a fantastic day, better than I could have imagined. I am just thrilled with the support we got from our community.”

The eighth annual Bowl for the Cure was held Saturday at Joey Armadillo’s bowling center in Niles.

While registration numbers were down, Marlin said they compensated by raising a lot of money with silent auctions and raffles.

“Those were the big things right there,” she said.

A total of 240 people registered to bowl Saturday, including 70 in the first shift and 170 in the second shift.

Marlin said people had so much fun that a line dance broke out in the middle of the bowling lanes. People also enjoyed 12-year-old singer Anaya Jolie, of Granger, who sang the national anthem and performed other songs throughout the day.

“She was just awesome,” Marlin said.

All money raised will be donated to the Southwestern Michigan Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure for prevention and research in southwest Michigan.

In 2013, the event raised $13,040. Event chairperson Chris Marlin said that 75 percent of the money stays local to fund things like mammograms, while the remaining 25 percent goes toward research.

Marlin said the event would likely come back for a ninth year.

“When I started I said I wanted to do it 10 years and I hope to stick to that,” Marlin said.

Marlin thanked Joey Armadillo’s for the use of the bowling alley.

“They’ve been a great partner,” she said.

The event is put on by the Niles Four Flags United States Bowling Congress.