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The 2012 version of Bowling for Veterans turned out to be a bigger success than its first run two years ago.

The Bowl for Veterans event from noon to 4 p.m. at Thunder Rolls Bowling Center brought members of the community out for its entirety, encouraging Beryl Dschaak, owner of the bowling alley.

“This is a very important day; I’m very patriotic,” Dschaak said about the Sunday event. “It turned out better this year. I’m still a little disappointed in the community, but I am so happy for the support we got.”

When Dschaak, whose brother served in the Vietnam War, hosted a Bowl for Veterans in 2010, Thunder Rolls raised the ninth most money in the country, raising almost $3,200 for the nonprofit organization Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL). But the turnout for the event was almost exclusively bowling league members, Dschaak said, who would have been there anyway.

This year, Dschaak was much more pleased with the turnout, even if the money did not come in as strong on the day of the event.

“We did better money-wise two years ago because of how we structured it, but I think this was a better event,” Dschaak said. “We had more of the community come out and show their support and appreciation. We had kids, families and bowlers here throughout the day.”

Dschaak said about $1,200 was raised Sunday but said she will keep accepting donations from anyone coming into the bowling alley through the spring.

Many veterans, including members of the American Legion in Craig, attended the event to make it special. Some frequent Thunder Rolls in bowling leagues anyway but were pleased to see the support that turned up from Craig.

“I like to see the community come up and support the troops because without the troops, this country wouldn’t be free,” Army vet and Craig resident Ted Southerland said. “I bowl in two leagues here, so it was good to see.”

Southerland, 51, has been in Craig since 2000 and loves the bowling atmosphere at Thunder Rolls/ He said he was excited about the results Sunday.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “I didn’t think we’d have that much turnout. I really enjoy seeing people here, and I really think what they did on the wall is just awesome. It shows the patriotism of the country.”

Nate Waggenspack can be reached at 875-1795 or nwaggenspack@craigdailypress.com. Follow Craig Dailiy Press sports coverage on Twitter at @CDP_Sports.